What is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?

• A. A private advocacy group for workers.
• B. An international body promoting labor rights.
• C. The governmental agency that enforces compliance with the Civil Rights Act regarding workplace discrimination.
• D. A state-level civil rights watchdog.

Answer: (C)

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the federal agency charged with protecting employees from workplace discrimination and enforcing equal employment opportunity laws. It handles complaints when someone believes they were treated unfairly because of protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, and it works to remedy violations through investigation, mediation, and, if needed, litigation. It’s a government body at the federal level, not a private advocacy group, not international, and not a state-level agency, which is why this description best matches its role.