Federal contractors, it’s time to review and update your EEO policy as it relates to LGBT employees and job applicants. President Obama announced yesterday that he will sign an executive order mandating Federal contractors to prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. His signature could come as early as this month.
According to research conducted by the UCLA Law Williams Institute,
- As of May 2014, 86% of the top 50 federal contractors prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation, and 61% prohibited discrimination based on gender identity.
- All but two of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation (96%) as of May 2014, and 70% prohibited discrimination based on gender identity.
Review, and update your policies (if necessary), to ensure that your EEO policies, too, include specifically prohibiting employment discrimination against LGBT individuals.
Further reading:
- Washington Post: Obama to Sign Order Barring U.S. Contractors from Job Bias Based on Sexual Orientation
- The Williams Institute: White House Announces Plans For Executive Order Prohibiting LGBT Discrimination