EEOC Shares Study on Pay Data Collection

By Bill Osterndorf

On July 28, 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) shared a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies), which studied EEOC’s collection of pay data from certain private employers and federal contractors.  

This data collection was completed in 2020 and covered the calendar years 2017 and 2018. The study was commissioned by EEOC, a bipartisan commission, in 2020. 

The study found that the data EEOC collected may be useful in identifying pay discrimination. The study offered short-term and long-term recommendations for improving future pay data collection. 

Regarding the results of the National Academies’ study, EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows said, “The National Academies’ rigorous examination of the Commission’s historic first pay data collection validates our efforts to collect and use compensation data to achieve pay equity in our nation.” 

Among other key findings, the study suggests that:

• The pay data collected by EEOC may be a valuable resource in EEOC enforcement efforts, employer self-assessment, and providing a broad description of pay practices. 
• The data the EEOC collected is unique and no other federal data collection captures the same information from private-sector employers. 
• There are limitations to the pay data collected by EEOC that may impede the effective use of this data for further study.
  

The EEOC held a press conference today regarding the results of the study and published a “What You Should Know” page on their site containing key details and takeaways.  

The report is available in full on the National Academies’ website. The National Academies will host a webinar about the report on August 2.  Registration can be found here.