The head of the US agency responsible for enforcing workplace civil rights has called on white men to report experiences of race or sex discrimination at work. Andrea Lucas, chair of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), made the appeal in a social media post on X, urging eligible workers to come forward and seek compensation under 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 in her post, quoted by the Associated Press. The post directed users to the EEOC’s fact sheet on “DEI-related discrimination” for guidance on filing complaints and stressed acting “as soon as possible.”
The announcement followed a post by Vice President JD Vance, which Lucas responded to, saying: “Absolutely right @JDVance. And precisely because this widespread, systemic, unlawful discrimination primarily harmed white men, elites didn’t just turn a blind eye; they celebrated it. Absolutely unacceptable; unlawful; immoral,” in conversation with the Associated Press.Since being named acting chair of the EEOC in January, Lucas has focused the agency’s attention on what she describes as unlawful DEI-motivated race and sex discrimination.
Her approach aligns with President Trump’s anti-DEI executive orders, reflecting a shift from previous EEOC priorities.Earlier this year, the EEOC, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, issued two technical assistance documents outlining what may constitute “DEI-related discrimination at work.” These documents provide guidance for workers to file complaints over training programmes, employee resource groups, or fellowship programmes that could violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as quoted by the Associated Press.Career and background of Andrea LucasBefore taking the helm at the EEOC, Lucas built a career in civil rights law and regulatory enforcement.
Her experience includes high-level positions in government agencies where she focused on employment compliance and legal advocacy. This background has informed her recent statements and policy direction, linking her educational and professional trajectory to her current approach at the EEOC.Responses from experts and legal observersDavid Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law, told the Associated Press: “It’s really much more about creating a culture in which you get the most out of everyone, including white men, where fairness and equal opportunity are applied.”
Former EEOC chair Jenny Yang said in conversation with the Associated Press that singling out a demographic group for civil rights enforcement is unusual and could suggest priority treatment. She added that complaints from transgender workers have been deprioritised or dropped entirely, reflecting the agency’s limited resources.Glasgow also noted that, relative to their population share, white men remain overrepresented in Fortune 500 executive roles and Congress, challenging claims of systematic discrimination against them, quoted by the Associated Press.