EEOC Advances Proposed Rule to Overhaul Federal Employee Discrimination Complaint Process
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has voted to advance a proposed rule that would significantly alter the process federal employees follow when filing discrimination complaints against their agencies. Under the proposed changes, federal employees would no longer be guaranteed a hearing with an EEOC administrative judge, nor would they have the right to join class-action complaints unless filed in federal court. The rule also eliminates mandatory counseling for complainants, replacing it with a requirement to file a complaint within 60 days of an alleged discriminatory incident. Additionally, the proposed rule would limit the ability of parties to engage in discovery, which traditionally allows for the gathering and exchange of relevant information. EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas and another commissioner supported the rule, citing data from 2021–2025 showing that successful complainants waited over two years on average for a decision, arguing the changes are necessary to make the process more effi...
