Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between the EEPC and the EEOC?
The EEPC is the Equal Employment Practices Commission, which is the New York City entity authorized to audit, evaluate, and monitor the equal employment opportunity programs of New York City governmental entities and make recommendations for improvement at an institutional level. The EEOC is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws, including investigating individual claims of discrimination.
If I am a City employee, can I file a discrimination complaint with the EEPC?
No. The EEPC is not authorized to investigate individual complaints of employment discrimination. The EEPC is responsible for auditing, evaluating, and monitoring City entities’ employment programs, policies, and practices to ensure they afford equal opportunities to minority employees and applicants for employment. Programmatic changes resulting from the EEPC’s audits provide a mechanism, at an institutional level, that assists City entities in preventing employment discrimination.
If I am a City employee, where can I file a complaint of discrimination?
Can the EEPC audit non-governmental entities (e.g., private companies)?
No. The EEPC is the independent oversight agency responsible for evaluating and monitoring the equal employment opportunity programs of New York City governmental entities. A private sector employee can seek assistance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division of Human Rights, or the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
Is the EEPC a Mayoral agency?
No. The EEPC is an independent oversight agency. The EEPC’s Board has five (5) Commissioners. Two (2) are appointed by the Mayor, two (2) are appointed by the City Council, and the fifth, who serves as Chairperson, is jointly appointed by the Mayor and the City Council.
Can the EEPC audit non-Mayoral entities, including the offices of elected officials?
Yes. The New York City Charter authorizes the EEPC to audit, evaluate, and monitor the Equal Employment Opportunity programs of all City entities that: (1) receive funding from the City treasury; (2) have a majority of board members who are appointed by the Mayor; or (3) have a majority of board members who serve as City Officers. Based on this definition, the EEPC has authority to audit, evaluate, and monitor the Office of the Mayor and all mayoral entities; the New York City Council; the offices of the New York City District Attorneys, Borough Presidents and borough Community Boards, Public Administrators, Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Public Advocate, and Comptroller; the City University of New York’s community colleges; the non-pedagogical employees of the Department of Education; and the pension and retirement systems for New York City police, teachers, and employees.
Where can I get a copy of the last audit the EEPC conducted of a particular City entity?
Copies of the EEPC’s audits are available to the public via the New York City Government Publications Portal. You can also request copies of the EEPC’s audits by submitting a written request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), or by visiting New York City Open Records.
