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EEOC proposes ending mandatory EEO-1 workforce demographic reporting

The agency moves to halt a six-decade-old data collection system amid wider policy shifts under the Trump administration.

Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 10:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proposed eliminating mandatory EEO-1 reports, which require companies to submit employee demographic data.
  • Supporters of the move argue the reporting is unconstitutional and burdensome, while civil rights advocates warn it will hinder investigations into systemic hiring and promotion discrimination.
  • The proposal comes alongside broader agency pivots to challenge diversity initiatives, halt transgender worker cases, and focus on claims filed by white and American-born workers.
  • The majority-Republican commission is anticipated to vote on formally approving the measure in the fall.

Key facts

  • The EEOC proposed rescinding annual EEO-1 reports, which mandate that employers provide data on workers categorized by race, ethnicity, sex, and job title.[The Guardian]
  • EEOC Commissioner Andrea Lucas stated that the reporting requirement is burdensome, unconstitutional, fosters diversity programs, and encourages discrimination against white employees.[The Guardian]
  • The agency previously utilized EEO-1 records as statistical evidence in workplace bias litigation, including a recent $5.5 million settlement in a gender discrimination class action against Central Transport.[The Guardian]
  • The commission recently halted all data-sharing partnerships with external social science researchers and replaced its long-term strategic plan to prioritize DEI-related and anti-American national origin complaints.[The Guardian]
  • The commission's 2-1 Republican majority is expected to formally approve the rescission of the data collection in the fall.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact timing and formal outcome of the full commission's vote to finalize the proposed rule change in the fall remains unconfirmed.[The Guardian]
  • The extent to which ending data collection will affect day-to-day EEOC charge investigations is disputed between agency leadership and civil rights litigators.[The Guardian]

Sources