EEOC Announces New Scheduled Openings of EEOC Data Collections

The opening of the 2019 Employment Information Report (EEO-1) Component 1 Data Collection scheduled for May 8, 2020 was delayed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that the 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection will open on Monday, April 26, 2021.

The EEOC is extending the data collection period this year from 10 weeks to 12 weeks to provide employers additional time to file. This additional time to file was granted since the EEOC recognizes the continuing differential impacts of the pandemic on workplaces nationwide, and the requirement to submit two years of EEO-1 data.  The deadline for submitting 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 data is Monday, July 19, 2021.

The EEO-1, also known as a Standard Form 100, is usually filed annually with the EEO-1 Joint Reporting Commission by employers with 100 or more employees. The data included in the EEO-1 is the demographic breakdown of the employer’s workforce by race, gender, and job classification.

All employers who are required to submit their data should begin to prepare now. Additional information regarding updates on the data collection can be accessed at: EEOC Data Homepage.

Issue:

All workplaces that have at least 100 employees must submit an annual EEO-1. If an employer fails to file an annual EEO-1 Report, the employer will be out of compliance with federal agency enforcement efforts and therefore lose employer credibility in an EEOC investigation. Making a willful false statement on an EEO-1 Report can result in a fine, imprisonment up to five years, or both. 

Discussion Points:

  • Review your policy and procedures for collecting data and submitting an EEO-1 Report, if applicable.  Update your policy and procedure as necessary.
  • Train all staff who have responsibilities with data collection or submitting of an EEO-1 on the process for the two year submission and the due date.
  • Periodically audit to ensure that data is being collected accurately and that your EEO-1 is submitted timely.