On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration began acting in several areas, including issuing an executive order that directly contradicts recent guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on harassment and misgendering in the workplace.
EEOC’s April 2024 Guidance on Workplace Harassment and Misgendering
Under the Biden Administration, the EEOC implemented several employee-friendly initiatives to enhance protections, one of which was an update to the agency’s guidelines on workplace harassment in April 2024. This revised guidance expanded the definition of harassment to include various forms of discrimination, particularly those involving gender identity.
The new guidance clarified that workplace harassment could include misgendering—intentionally and repeatedly referring to someone by pronouns or a name that does not reflect their gender identity. It also addressed barriers to restroom access, noting that preventing employees from using restrooms that align with their gender identity is considered harassment.
With these updates, the EEOC reinforced its commitment to safeguarding employees from discrimination based on gender identity, making it clear that such harassment and mistreatment would not be tolerated.
President Trump’s Executive Order on Gender Recognition
In stark contrast to the EEOC’s guidance, President Trump and his administration took bold action by signing the Executive Order titled, “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government” (the “EO”). The EO declares that “[i]t is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.” The EO explicitly rejects “gender ideology,” which, according to the EO, includes the notion “that males can identify as and thus become women and vice versa” and “it is possible for a person to be born in the wrong sexed body.”
The executive order explicitly states that these sexes are “not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality,” further clarifying that “sex” does not equate to “gender identity.” This policy directly challenges the EEOC’s April 2024 guidance and appears to affect the interpretation and enforcement of federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Legal Implications
The conflict between the Biden-era EEOC guidance and President Trump’s executive order raises significant legal concerns. Federal agencies, courts, and employers must navigate competing interpretations of sex-based protections in the workplace, especially since laws like Title VII protect against discrimination based on gender identity, transgender status, and sexual orientation. The Trump administration’s approach may lead the EEOC to reduce enforcement of transgender rights under Title VII or take a different stance altogether, possibly considering accommodations like bathroom access for transgender employees as discriminatory.
This issue is far from settled, and President Trump is expected to take additional actions soon. The long-term impact will depend on court rulings and potential legislative changes in the coming months. However, until Congress amends laws like Title VII, private employers are still bound by existing law, not the executive order. This may lead to litigation, but for now, employers should continue to follow the law and case precedents, while staying aware of the policy shift under the Trump administration.
Implications for Private Employers:
- Employers should prepare to address questions from employees, particularly LGBTQI+ employees and allies, about any policy changes.
- Employers with anti-discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policies based on gender, gender identity, and gender expression can reassure employees about the company’s commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace.
- Given the EEOC’s focus on creating “single-sex spaces at work,” employers may face conflicting obligations under federal and state law.
- Employers should stay informed on federal developments, such as potential litigation over restroom access and biological sex, which may be prioritized by the new EEOC.
- Employers must also remain mindful of state laws that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
- Expect revisions to the EEOC’s “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster, which employers are required to display on-site, due to changes resulting from the executive order.
- Anticipate changes to reporting options on identification forms, particularly regarding gender information, as some government forms may no longer allow non-binary or similar gender identity data due to the executive order.
If you have any questions regarding this executive action and its implications, please feel free to contact Forework..