The Associated Press is reporting that the civil rights agency responsible for enforcing employee rights will no longer investigate worker complaints about company policies that may disproportionately harm certain groups.
According to the AP, the memo says the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will drop any complaints based on ‘disparate impact liability.’ Disparate impact is discrimination that occurs when a neutral or fair-seeming policy still harms a protected group, even without the intent to discriminate.
There are many employment discrimination cases emerging because of the growing use of artificial intelligence in hiring, where the disparate impact concept can be applied.
The EEOC’s decision is in line with a previous executive order from President Trump to use the disparate impact concept less in civil rights enforcement because, in the president’s eyes, it creates an undue burden on businesses. But the decision threatens workers’ abilities to seek justice when they experience discrimination in the workplace.
These cases are still viable, however, regardless of the Trump Administration’s stance against them. The attorneys at Kennedy Hunt P.C. are experts in employment and disability rights. You can read about the employment law cases we take on here. If you or someone you know has had their disability rights violated, the skilled attorneys at Kennedy Hunt, P.C. may be able to help you. Fill out a questionnaire so we can understand your claim.