What does the federal law say about requiring an employee to self-identify about race/ethnicity?

Steve Duggan replies:

If an employee or applicant for employment is asked that question, it is almost certainly because of Federal government Affirmative Action regulations requiring employers to gather this data and report it to the EEOC. Employers may not use that information for any other purpose and must keep it private.

Posted 05-11-2016

Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.