The head of the United States agency responsible for enforcing workplace civil rights has made a direct appeal to white male employees. She has asked them to come forward if they have faced discrimination based on their race or sex at work.
EEOC Chair's Social Media Appeal
Andrea Lucas, who serves as the chair of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), posted this call to action on the social media platform X. In her post, she encouraged eligible workers to step forward and seek compensation under existing federal civil rights laws.
"Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex? You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws," Lucas wrote. Her message directed people to the EEOC's official fact sheet on DEI-related discrimination for guidance on how to file a complaint. She also stressed the importance of acting quickly.
Alignment with Federal Policy Shift
This announcement followed a post by US Vice President JD Vance, to which Lucas responded. She agreed with Vance, stating to the Associated Press that widespread systemic discrimination had primarily harmed white men, and that elites had not only ignored it but celebrated it. She called this situation unacceptable, unlawful, and immoral.
Since becoming the acting chair of the EEOC in January, Lucas has sharpened the agency's focus on what she terms unlawful discrimination motivated by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This approach marks a significant shift from the commission's earlier priorities and aligns with President Trump's executive orders against DEI initiatives.
Earlier this year, the EEOC, along with the Department of Justice, released two technical assistance documents. These papers outline what might be considered DEI-related discrimination at work. They offer workers guidance on filing complaints against training programs, employee resource groups, or fellowship programs that could potentially violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Legal Experts and Observers Weigh In
The move has drawn mixed reactions from legal experts and former officials. David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law, told the Associated Press that the core goal should be creating a fair culture that benefits everyone, including white men.
Former EEOC chair Jenny Yang noted that singling out a specific demographic group for civil rights enforcement is unusual and could imply priority treatment. She highlighted that due to the agency's limited resources, complaints from other groups, like transgender workers, have been deprioritised or dropped entirely.
Glasgow also provided context, pointing out that relative to their population share, white men remain overrepresented in top corporate roles and in Congress. This fact challenges narratives of systematic discrimination against them in the broader employment landscape.
Andrea Lucas brought a background in civil rights law and regulatory enforcement to her role at the EEOC. Her career includes high-level government positions focused on employment compliance, which informs her current policy direction at the commission.
