EEOC Hamstrung By Government Shutdown

Amid the government shutdown, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will continue docketing charges under the federal employment discrimination statute, litigating lawsuits where continuance has not been granted, and examining new charges to determine whether prompt judicial action is necessary to protect life or property. However, EEOC staff will not be investigating charges filed during the shutdown and will not process FOIA requests. Nor will it hold mediations, federal sector hearings or make decisions on federal employees’ appeals of discrimination complaints.