EEOC Examines Work/Life Family Balance And Intersection Of Job Bias Laws

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) examined perspectives on work/family balance and the intersection with the federal anti-discrimination laws today at a public meeting, as the agency considers developing enforcement guidance on the topic.

EEOC Vice Chair Leslie E. Silverman, one of the organizers of the meeting, highlighted the “maternal wall” that may act as a barrier to the career advancement of women with children, and the plight of the “sandwich generation” for whom the term “caregiver” has taken on a new meaning -- workers who hold jobs while also caring for children, aging parents or other family members.

“Fortunately, many employers have recognized employees’ need to balance work and family, and companies have responded in very positive and creative ways,” Vice Chair Silverman said. “Unfortunately, not all caregivers work in hospitable environments. We hear from caregivers who face barriers, stereotyping, and unequal treatment on the job.”

During the meeting, EEOC commissioners and invited expert panelists addressed a broad range of work/life issues, covering pregnancy discrimination; the state of caregivers in the workplace and caregiving issues facing women of color; demographic data and research; recent discrimination charge filings and litigation by the EEOC; and the current legal landscape and recent case law. Read more at eeoc.gov.