EEOC Launches Small Business Task Force

The Small Business Task Force, led by Commissioner Constance S. Barker, will work to find ways in which the agency could better collaborate with the small business community to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.

The internal task force includes EEOC District Directors from the Birmingham, Charlotte and San Francisco offices; program analysts responsible for outreach from the San Antonio, Los Angeles and Philadelphia offices; and representatives from the Offices of Field Programs, General Counsel, Legal Counsel and Communications and Legislative Affairs.

The Task Force will, among other things, develop recommendations on how to:

•  Utilize new technology to expand outreach to small businesses;

•  Develop technical assistance and training initiatives for small businesses;

•  Identify specialized approaches to aid small businesses owned by women and minorities;

•  Identify specialized approaches for micro businesses, generally those with 50 or fewer employees; and

•  Enhance small business information and training on the EEOC’s website.

The Small Business Task Force plans to focus on newly established small businesses and those that are too small to afford lawyers or human resource personnel.

“I am pleased that Commissioner Barker is leading this important effort to assist small businesses in complying with the laws and regulations enforced by the EEOC,” Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien said. “The Task Force demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the lines of communication with small business owners and educating them about their responsibilities, including the benefits of preventing and resolving discrimination claims.”

“This Task Force is particularly timely because America’s economic recovery depends to a large extent on the ability of small business to continue to thrive and to grow their businesses,” Commissioner Barker stated. “It is appropriate that we take a fresh look at our interactions with the small business community to see if we can better serve them.”

The Task Force will work during 2012 to develop recommendations to the Commission, which will be presented in a public Commission meeting.

The Commission invites members of the public to submit written input on the Task Force. Public comments may be e-mailed to smallbusiness@eeoc.gov, or mailed to: EEOC Small Business Task Force
131 M Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20507.

All comments received will be made available to members of the Commission and to Commission staff working on the Task Force. Comments will also be placed in the EEOC library for public review.