Late last month the EEOC issued its Strategic Enforcement Plan for 2013. The Plan sets forth 6 priorities:
1. Eliminating Barriers in Recruitment and Hiring;
2. Protecting Immigrant, Migrant and Other Vulnerable Workers;
3. Addressing Emerging and Developing Issues;
4. Enforcing Equal Pay laws;
5. Preserving Access to the Legal System; and
6. Preventing Harassment Through Systemic Enforcement and Targeted Outreach.
Based on these priorities I recommend employers take the following steps:
1. Conduct an internal “equal pay audit” to ensure that male and female employees are being paid the same for equal work;
2. Conduct anti-harassment training for your entire workforce;
3. Conduct an internal audit of your compliance with immigration laws, including Form I-9, and;
4. Conduct an internal audit to ensure that there are not discriminatory differences in pay for any employees.
Any issues that are discovered should be corrected.
Happy New Year!
Tennessee Employment Law 