September 30th is just around the corner, which means for many of us that it is time to start gathering the information needed for annual EEO-1 reporting. The EEO-1 Report is a compliance survey that is mandated by federal regulations and statutes. Some of the most frequent questions asked pertaining to EEO-1 reporting include: Who needs to file; What do you need to report and why; and, When do you have to do all of this?

Who: The most commonly asked question with regards to EEO-1 reporting is who needs to file, what are the requirements for an organization? The criteria is as follows:

  • Organizations with more than 100 employees; or
  • Organizations with fewer than 100 employees who are owned by or are corporately affiliated with another company whose entire enterprise employs a total of 100 or more employees; or
  • Federal government prime contractors or first-tier subcontractors with 50 or more employees AND a prime contract or a first-tier subcontract totaling $50,000 or more.

What: If the organization meets one of the above requirements, the survey requires them to submit employment data that is categorized by race/ethnicity, gender, and job category which the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) use to support civil rights enforcement and analyze employment patterns, which in turn help them determine where the likelihood of systematic discrimination is the highest.

When: Survey data must be pulled from one year’s pay period from either July, August or September (e.g., July 15th, 2013 – July 15th, 2014) of the current survey year. That data is then analyzed, compiled, and submitted into the EEO-1 form. The most convenient way to submit this mail is through the EEOC’s website, in which all data is electronically entered and submitted. A copy of the form is available for your records after submission. EEO-1 reports must be submitted and certified no later than September 30th, annually.

These basic elements are just the beginning when it comes to EEO-1 reporting. There are a number of other steps, requirements, and methods of ongoing maintenance that go into reporting to ensure that the reporting process is accurate, conducted efficiently, and produces the desired outcomes. EEO-1 reporting can be a breeze or a hassle depending on established procedures and participation. As September 30th draws closer, follow us for some tips and tricks on making this process simple and streamlined.