Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing EEO laws?

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is specifically tasked with enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee based on various characteristics, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age. The EEOC is responsible for investigating discrimination complaints, mediating disputes, and ensuring that individuals' rights are protected under EEO laws.

This agency plays a crucial role in upholding the principles of equal opportunity in the workplace and has the authority to file lawsuits against employers who violate these laws, making it the primary federal agency dedicated to addressing issues of employment discrimination.

In contrast, while the Department of Labor oversees many labor-related issues and has some responsibilities regarding work-related rights, it does not specifically enforce EEO laws. Similarly, the Federal Employment Agency and the Office of Civil Rights engage with related employment issues, but they do not carry the primary enforcement authority of the EEOC concerning equal employment opportunity laws.