Thank you for joining us. In this video, we will discuss the role of the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) and how they help prohibit and stop workplace discrimination. We will also briefly touch upon the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008, which prohibits any sort of discrimination based on known genetic coding information.

Supporting Neurodivergent Colleagues

You might be asking yourself, how do I best support my neurodivergent colleagues in the workplace, and what do I do if I believe I'm being discriminated against? That's a great question.

The Role of the EEOC

The EEOC has been around for roughly 50 years. They work heavily in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and refer to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The EEOC's primary role is to investigate organizations or firms that are engaging in workplace discrimination.

Importance of the EEOC

The EEOC stands for the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. Their job is to investigate organizations that are engaging in workplace discrimination. Many businesses are required to submit quarterly audits that show their percentage of hires and interviews for various individuals throughout their workforce. These standards are constantly updated by the EEOC. If organizations do not meet these benchmarks, they do not receive federal funding, which can affect profitability and workplace morale.

EEOC Field Offices

Every major city, such as Washington, D.C., Denver, and New York, has an EEOC field office. In the external resources, we have linked the EEOC US Government website. If you wish to file a complaint and have the EEOC investigate an organization that is actively engaging in workplace discrimination, that is how you would do it.

Filing a Complaint

If you are neurodivergent and believe you are being discriminated against by your employer, or if you are concerned about someone else, you can file an anonymous complaint on the EEOC's government website. This is a key feature in both protecting yourself if you believe you are being discriminated against, or advocating on behalf of neurodivergent colleagues in the workplace.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)

In 2008, Congress passed GINA, which is the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. This act was landmark legislation because it prohibited individuals from being discriminated against based on known genetic coding or information. Many examples of neurodivergence, including ADD, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, are believed to occur due to genetic factors.

Misconceptions and Advocacy

There are many connotations and common misconceptions related to neurodivergent conditions. If you believe you are not getting a fair chance at your place of employment or that there are preconceived notions about your abilities, it is always good to look into the EEOC and other applicable workplace legislation, such as the 1990 ADA and its 2021 update regarding Artificial Intelligence and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Conclusion

We will cover more topics in subsequent videos, but thank you for your time and for choosing us to learn about this important information. Thank you.