Summary

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) upholds a basic right of Americans: the right to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. EEOC's world has changed drastically since the Commission was established in 1964, and questions have arisen about how well EEOC does its job. With substantial staff increases unlikely, will EEOC be able to respond effectively to the demands of its new environment--one characterized by increasing responsibility and workloads? In these times of shrinking resources, government agencies are rethinking their roles and how they do business. EEOC may also need to change. This testimony (1) briefly describes how EEOC operates, (2) discusses its increasing responsibility and workload, and (3) examines concerns about its operations.