Virginia Office of Attorney General to Focus on Enforcement of Civil Rights

Effective July 1, 2021, the Virginia Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will become the permanent home of the newly-created “Office of Civil Rights", which will "expand, enhance, and centralize" the Attorney General's work in protecting Virginians from employment discrimination. This new Office and its mission will expand the authority, enforcement and resources of the OAG to investigate employment discrimination claims, and punish employers for violations. Virginia employers should take the time to audit their HR policies, procedures and practices for compliance, and train managers about respect in the workplace and the gamut of employment discrimination laws.

The Office of Civil Rights’ areas of investigation and enforcement will include: (1) combating discrimination in employment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and another protected classes; (2) combating LGBTQ and gender-based discrimination in employment; and (3) protecting the rights of expectant and new mothers from discrimination in the workplace.  Other areas of focus and responsibilities of the Office of Civil Rights can be found here.