NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH EEOC TO ADDRESS EMPLOYMENT ISSUES AFFECTING TEENS

Latest Private Sector Alliance under Federal Agency's Youth@Work Initiative

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, today joined forces to raise awareness about workplace issues affecting teenagers.  The new alliance is part of the EEOC'sYouth@Work Initiative, a nationwide outreach and information campaign to educate America's youth about their employment rights and responsibilities.

"The National Education Association's commitment to quality education and advocacy on behalf of students renders it a vital ally in our efforts on behalf of the nation's youth, many of whom work during the school months," said EEOC Vice Chair Naomi C. Earp, who launched the initiative in September 2004.  "EEOC is pleased and excited to partner with the National Education Association to help ensure that every teenager's work experience is a positive one."

NEA President Reg Weaver said: "This partnership with the EEOC's Youth@Work Initiative will allow us to educate our youth about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.  Raising awareness about workplace rights will help our teenagers become more mindful, responsible, productive and knowledgeable young adults."

The NEA represents 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, college faculty, school administrators, education support professionals, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.  NEA, whose mission is advancing the cause of public education, has affiliate organizations in every state, as well as in more than 14,000 local communities across the United States.  Further information about the association is available on its web site at www.nea.org.

As part of its Youth@Work Initiative, the EEOC is building partnerships with business leaders, human resource groups, and industry trade associations to further explore the trends and challenges affecting young people in the 21st century workplace.  Today's announcement follows two other significant Youth@Work alliances with the National Restaurant Association and the National Retail Federation.  Among the activities the EEOC and its Youth@Work partners hope to engage in are:

• Hosting a series of forums, roundtable discussions, and other joint events;
• Linking to EEOC's Youth@Work web site;
• Discussing the initiative with industry trade association members and their employees;
• Holding training sessions on the federal anti-discrimination laws;
• Publishing articles in organizational newsletters;
• Participating in Youth@Work events throughout the country.

In addition to seeking partnerships with the private sector, the two other main components of the EEOC's Youth@Work Initiative are: a youth web site at http://youth.eeoc.gov (English) or http://youth.eeoc.gov/es/ (Spanish) dedicated to educating young workers about their equal employment opportunity rights and responsibilities; and a series of free national outreach events by EEOC Commissioners and field office staff for high school students, youth organizations, educators, and small businesses who employ young workers.

In the program's first year, approximately 850 Youth@Work events were hosted by EEOC nationwide -- reaching more than 72,000 students, education professionals, and employers.  Employers or organizations interested in forming Youth@Work partnerships with the EEOC should e-mail the organization's name, address, telephone number, and email address to: Youth.AtWork@eeoc.gov.

The EEOC is the federal government agency responsible for enforcing the nation's anti-discrimination laws in employment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, retaliation, age and disability.  Further information about the Commission is available on the agency's web site at www.eeoc.gov.