Defensible Decisions: EEOC’s Pattern-or-Practice Priorities and What Employers Should Expect

In this inaugural episode of Ogletree Deakins’ Defensible Decisions podcast, Scott Kelly (shareholder, Birmingham) sits down with Nonnie Shivers (office managing shareholder, Phoenix) to unpack the EEOC’s renewed emphasis on systemic, pattern-or-practice enforcement in the wake of a restored quorum and recent leadership moves. This shift highlights the agency’s alignment with current administration priorities, moving away from its traditional strategic plan. The discussion covers anticipated litigation and key areas of investigation—particularly focusing on challenges related to race- and sex-based preferences in DEI programs, anti-American national origin bias, and H‑1B abuses. The speakers emphasize the importance for employers to conduct privileged, data-driven audits of their hiring, promotions, transfers, and pay practices. This proactive approach can help validate merit-based decisions and prepare organizations for increased scrutiny.