Free Help for Small Business Owners

EEOC Has Created a New Online Tool Provides Small Business Compliance Information, Tips, and Videos

Here is some of the information that you can find on this site.  It is a great resource to help because as a small business owner, you've got a lot on your plate. You need to find information quickly and easily so we have created a one-stop shop of resources tailored just for small businesses!  Here you will find answers to common questions about your responsibilities under the federal employment discrimination laws.  You will also find tips on preventing discrimination and how to deal with issues when they do arise in your business, plus a whole lot more!

Small Business Requirements

As a small business owner and an employer you may have legal responsibilities under the federal employment anti-discrimination laws. 

Below you will find the information you need to determine whether the anti-discrimination laws apply to your particular business and if they do, what you need to know!

Do the federal employment anti-discrimination laws apply to my business?

It depends on how many employees your business has:

If you have at least one employee: You are covered by the law that requires employers to provide equal pay for equal work to male and female employees.

If you have 15 to 19 employees: You are covered by the laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability and genetic information (including family medical history). You are also covered by the law that requires employers to provide equal pay for equal work.

If you have 20 or more employees: You are covered by the laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history). You are also covered by the law that requires employers to provide equal pay for equal work.

State and/or local employment discrimination laws may also apply to your business. State and local government websites may have information about these laws.

• Small Business Requirements

  You are required to keep certain employment records and to post information about discrimination laws. You may also be required to complete a report about your workforce. Learn more - and download a free "EEO is the Law" poster!

 

• Frequently Asked Questions

  Responses to questions we often receive from small business owners: Do the laws that the EEOC enforces apply to my business? How can I prevent discrimination? If I receive a charge of discrimination, what should I do? And more!

• Tips for Small Businesses

  Know what to do if an employee requests leave to attend a doctor's appointment or to observe a religious holiday? How do you consider an applicant's criminal record when hiring? Get tips on handling some common workplace issues.

 

• Making an Employment Decision?

  As a small business owner, you make dozens of decisions every day. Get advice about common employment decisions, from hiring and training to evaluating, disciplining, and firing employees.

• EEOC Resources
  

  Need information about a specific discrimination topic? We've categorized EEOC material for small businesses by topic, so you can find what you need quickly and easily.

 

• Small Business Assistance

  As a small business owner, you don't have legal or Human Resources experts to advise you. We're here to help!

• Small Business Fact Sheet

  A one-page fact sheet that provides a shortened, user-friendly overview of the legal obligations of small businesses under the federal employment anti-discrimination laws.  It also provides information about other EEOC resources available for small business owners.  The "Preventing Discrimination is Good Business" Fact sheet is available in 30 different languages.

 

• Small Business Videos

  Running your small business is a full time job and when you need information - you need it fast!  For example, you may need to know what questions you shouldn't ask in an interview.  Wouldn't it be great if there was a quick and basic video (just a couple minutes long) that could give you this type of information?  Well there is!  EEOC's Small Business Liaisons have created videos with the small business owner in mind and the simple straightforward information that you need most. 

• EEOC Glossary

  Definitions for some common equal employment opportunity terms, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation and reasonable accommodation.

The Small Business Resource Center can be accessed by clicking here.