As anticipated, the U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Republican Janet Dhillon as the Chairwoman of the EEOC.  Ms. Dhillon joins Republican Victoria Lipnic, who has been Acting Chair, and Democrat Charlotte Burrows.  According to EEOC’s website, Ms. Burrows’ term ends July 1, 2019.

The bipartisan EEOC is comprised of a Chair, Vice Chair, three Commissioners and a General Counsel, each appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate.  With the appointment of Ms. Dhillon, the EEOC still has openings for the Vice Chair, two Commissioners and the General Counsel.

At the top of many of our minds is the pay data component of EEO-1 reporting, which is now due by September 30, 2019 for years 2017 and 2018.  The appointment of Ms. Dhillon does not have any immediate impact on the obligation of employers to comply with the pay data-reporting requirement.  However, EEOC filed a Notice in the pay data case (National Women’s Law Center v. Office of Management and Budget) notifying the court of Ms. Dhillon’s confirmation and stating,

[i]f, once a quorum is restored, the Commission takes action related to the Component 2 data collection that is the subject of this litigation, we will promptly notify the Court.

As always we will continue to monitor this case and bring you any important updates.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Laura A. Mitchell Laura A. Mitchell

Laura Mitchell is a principal in the Denver office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leads the firm’s Workplace Analytics and Preventive Strategies Pay Equity subgroup. She partners with employers to evaluate, develop and implement policies and practices that ensure workplace fairness while mitigating…

Laura Mitchell is a principal in the Denver office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leads the firm’s Workplace Analytics and Preventive Strategies Pay Equity subgroup. She partners with employers to evaluate, develop and implement policies and practices that ensure workplace fairness while mitigating legal risk. Laura is a guiding force in the firm’s most specialized and technical practice areas where she leverages an analytics-focused approach to partner with her clients in building legally compliant programs around which they can anchor their workplaces achieving productivity and stability.

Laura understands that creating a competitive advantage for employers in today’s workplace involves using a data-driven approach to counsel companies on the development of proactive and equitable non-discriminatory practices in hiring, promotions, separations and pay—and where advancements in technology can create both opportunities for efficiencies and risk that can be measured. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost while balancing legal risk, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication. Staying the course with employers across their organizational journey while balancing legal compliance obligations throughout their employees’ lifecycle ensures Laura’s position as a go-to resource.

Laura works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize the combined vision of legal compliance, increased productivity and economic growth enhanced by a focus on pay equity.  As part of the pay equity journey, she advises employers on the evolving pay transparency landscape, working to align compliant practices with the practical realities of the business world.

Laura partners closely with government contractors to understand, implement and demonstrate compliance with their EEO regulatory and compliance obligations. She also works closely with non-government contractor clients to conduct risk assessments of their programs, policies, and training to align with federal and state anti-discrimination requirements.

Laura is the editor and a principal contributor of the GovCon Employment Exchange blog and presents on pay equity and government contractor obligations. To round out her days, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and friends attending sports events, working out, riding her bike, playing pickleball and taking in Colorado’s incomparable sunsets.