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Laws & Guidance

Federal Laws prohibit workplace discrimination and are enforced by EEOC.  These are passed by Congress and signed by the President.

Regulations implement federal workplace discrimination laws. They are voted on by the Commission after the public has a formal opportunity to provide comments to EEOC. Find our current regulations, read and comment on proposed regulations, and see our regulatory agenda at the link above.

EEOC Guidance is available on the guidance portal and includes documents that were voted upon by the Commission (CVG), and also documents that do not require a Commission vote (NVTA) because they explain existing guidance positions, such as brochures, fact sheets, and technical assistance documents.

Commission Decisions concern a specific charge of discrimination where the Commission votes to express official agency policy to be applied in similar cases by EEOC. They should not be confused with EEOC's federal sector appellate decisions in federal employee complaints of discrimination.

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)  explain how two or more agencies will cooperate and interact when their enforcement responsibilities overlap. MOUs involving other federal agencies must be approved by a majority of the Commissioners. EEOC also enters into MOUs with foreign embassies and consulates to enhance cooperation on matters involving employment discrimination.

Informal Discussion Letters respond to circumstance-specific questions from the public and to other agencies' requests for public comment posted in the Federal Register. They are written by staff in the Office of Legal Counsel and are not official opinions of the Commission.

Workplace Laws Not Enforced by the EEOC
Federal laws prohibiting discrimination or regulating workplace issues that are not enforced by the EEOC.

Discrimination by Type
Laws, regulations and policy guidance, and also fact sheets, Q&As, best practices, and other information organized by basis of discrimination.