EEOC approves strategic plan through 2016

WASHINGTON—The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission approved a strategic plan Wednesday that calls for developing a new enforcement approach to better leverage the agency's resources and to build on its existing systemic program to remedy discrimination.

The four-year plan, which was approved in a 4-1 vote and will start being implemented in March, “establishes a framework for achieving the EEOC's mission to stop and remedy unlawful employment discrimination, so that the nation might see realize the commission's vision of justice and equality in the workplace,” the agency said in a statement.

The EEOC “is taking a significant step toward realizing the commission's vision of ending employment discrimination and promoting equal opportunity” in the workplace, EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien said in the statement.

The EEOC said the 2012-2016 plan's proposed outcomes also include developing significant partnerships with organizations that represent vulnerable workers and/or underserved communities, and leveraging technology to “streamline, standardize and expedite the charge process across its field offices.”

Members of the public have 15 days from Wednesday's meeting to submit written comments on any issues discussed at the meeting. Comments may be mailed to Commission Meeting, EEOC Executive Officer, 131 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20507 or emailed to Commissionmeetingcomments@eeoc.gov.

The EEOC has previously released a draftM of its strategic plan.