EEOC ISSUES NEW TRAINING GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND SUPERVISORS

'The ABCs of EEO' to Promote Voluntary Compliance by Employers

WASHINGTON -  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced the publication of a new employer training guide, The ABCs of EEO for Small Businesses and Supervisors, to assist small business owners and front-line supervisors.  The guide is available for purchase at a cost of $14.95 (either paperback or CD version) through the agency's web site at www.eeotraining.eeoc.gov.

The  ABCs of  EEO is organized by the human resource issues that employers face every day, such as hiring, harassment, accommodation, evaluations, promotions, discipline, discharge and job references.  For example, in the chapter on workplace harassment, the guide discusses employer liability for harassment created by supervisors, employees, contractors and customers.  Other topics include what an employer should do in the event that an applicant or employee files a discrimination charge against his or her company or agency.  The book also contains a glossary of terms, helpful checklists and reference and resource lists to assist the reader further.

"This practical handbook is user-friendly, easy-to-understand, and contains invaluable tips to help small businesses proactively prevent discrimination by voluntarily complying with the laws enforced by the EEOC," said Nicholas Inzeo, Director of the agency's Office of Field Programs, which oversees the EEOC Training Institute.  "Voluntary compliance simply makes good business sense and helps to ease employers' regulatory burden which is a win-win for everyone."

The guide was produced by EEOC's Training Institute, a division of the agency that offers fee- based technical assistance for employers under the auspices of the EEOC Education, Technical Assistance and Training Revolving Fund Act of 1992  which law authorizes the EEOC to charge reasonable fees to cover the costs of providing specialized, in-depth education and training on the laws enforce by the agency.

EEOC is responsible for enforcing the nation's laws prohibiting discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, gender (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, disability and retaliation.  Further information about the federal agency is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.