Sample Equal Employment Opportunity Policies

HRC seeks a clear declaration of non-discrimination toward LGBTQ+ employees by including both "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" in an employer’s primary non-discrimination or EEO statement. HRC does not view anti-harassment or other corporate statements alone as sufficiently inclusive policy of non-discrimination towards employees and job applicants.

Please note that the recommended term is "gender identity or expression." Although a person's gender expression, or external expression of gender, differs from their gender identity, or internal sense of gender, in law and policy the term "gender identity" is often defined or at least understood to include an individual's gender expression. To ensure that expectations are clearly communicated to employees and potential applicants, employers should use the term "gender identity or expression" in policies and other communications.

The following are examples of equal employment opportunity or non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity: