Determine what constitutes employment discrimination

The list of kinds of discrimination continues to grow and evolve. What was acceptable 20 years ago is now prohibited by federal law, and the EEOC site offers up-to-date information that can help you stay compliant. The EEOC Web site includes sections on every legally recognized and regulated kind of discrimination, including age, disability, pregnancy, race, religion and sex-based. You can also find information on sexual harassment, retaliation-based discrimination, and equal pay and compensation. The site includes the text for the specific laws and acts regarding each kind of discrimination, as well as an explanation of what kinds of organizations are covered by equal employment opportunity laws.

I recommend: Search for discrimination by type, find a complete list of EEOC regulations, or research enforcement guidelines for employment discrimination law. At the U.S. Department of Labor website, find out which federal laws prohibit employment discrimination.

Take an inside look at the EEOC complaint process

If a discrimination charge is ever filed against your company, you'll need to know how to prepare and what to expect. The agency's site explains exactly how EEOC cases are handled.

I recommend: The EEOC site outlines how a charge is filed and processed. Look into the EEOC's mediation process, which can help your company resolve a discrimination claim without going to court. At the U.S Department of Justice website, take a step-by-step look at the equal employment opportunity complaint process.

Get anti-discrimination training through the EEOC

The EEOC offers education and training to prevent discrimination on the job, through its no-cost outreach programs and its fee-based EEOC Training Institute. The outreach programs cover basic information about the EEOC, including what discrimination laws it enforces and how the discrimination charge/complaint process works. The outreach programs are available to employee and employer groups, professional associations, non-profit entities, community organizations, students and the general public. The EEOC Training Institute offers more comprehensive programs for private employers and state, local and federal government personnel.

I recommend: Attend a free workshop on the Americans with Disabilities Act, hold a corporate leadership conference through the EEOC, or bring fee-based, on-site EEOC training to your organization. Or, take an online training course through an outside provider such as New Media Learning.