HR Generalists tasked with the EEO-1 report can celebrate.  On August 29, 2017, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to EEOC Acting Chair Victoria Lipnic, stating that it is reviewing the September 29, 2016 pay data collection revisions to the existing EEO-1, and while it does so, the pay data collection will be stayed. In other words, the new data requirement (aimed at determining equal pay issues) is on hold but employers need to be sure to continue to collect the normal data as usual, by March 2018.

In its memo, the OMB noted that the EEOC released data file specifications for employers to use in submitting EEO-1 data that were not contained in the Federal Register notice, and thus, could not obtain public comments: “As a result, the public did not receive an opportunity to provide comment on the method of data submission to EEOC.” Accordingly, “OMB has also decided to stay immediately the effectiveness of the revised aspects of the EEO-1 form for good cause, as we believe that continued collection of this information is contrary to the standards of the PRA (Paperwork Reduction Act). Among other things, OMB is concerned that some aspects of the revised collection of information lack practical utility, are unnecessarily burdensome, and do not adequately address privacy and confidentiality issues.”

In short, employers may continue using the previously approved EEO-1 form to comply with FY2017 reporting requirements!