The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is seeking final government approval for a new EEO-1 Report for use in 2007. The request for final approval will be published in the Federal Register and the public will have 30 days to comment.

Employers with 100 or more employees and covered federal contractors are required to file the EEO-1 Report by September 30 every year. Major changes when approved will include reporting employees in six race categories (including "Two or more races") and one ethnic category ("Hispanic or Latino"). Additionally, the current Officials and Managers job category will be split into two subcategories (Executive/Senior Level and First/Mid Level).

Important Note: The current race/ethnicity categories and new race and ethnicity categories do not translate between each other and employers should wait and be very careful in implementing any changes. The EEOC has stated it will not require employers to resurvey their workforce for the 2007 report and the EEO-1 Report will still require the use of the current race/ethnicity categories in 2006. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) will also have to update its affirmative action regulations to reflect the new race and ethnicity categories.

Information on the proposed final EEO-1 Report is available from the EEOC website at www.eeoc.gov/eeo1.

Maly Consulting will keep you informed as developments occur but feel free to contact us with any questions on what these changes will likely mean to your organization.