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Compliance guide

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Template

An equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy sets out your commitment to fair, non-discriminatory treatment of workers and job applicants. Whether you call it an equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity or equal opportunities policy, it's the same document, and this guide gives you a free template, a ready-to-use employer statement for job ads, and a done-for-you option.

Get it done for you->See the template

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Key takeaways

  • An EEO policy commits your business to fair treatment in recruitment, pay, promotion and training, free from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
  • EEO, equal opportunity and equal opportunities (UK) all mean the same document; the equal opportunity employer statement is the short version you put on job ads.
  • It's underpinned by anti-discrimination law, such as US Title VII / EEOC rules and the UK Equality Act 2010, and is commonly expected in HR and procurement reviews.
  • It works alongside related workplace policies (anti-harassment, diversity and inclusion).
  • Write your own from the template below, or have a tailored, ready-to-issue version done for you.

What is an equal opportunity policy?

An equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy is an internal document setting out your commitment to treating all workers and job applicants fairly, and to making employment decisions on merit rather than on protected personal characteristics. It prohibits discrimination, harassment and victimisation in the workplace.

The terms vary by country, equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity (EEO), and equal opportunities (more common in the UK) all describe the same policy. The shorter "equal opportunity employer" statement you see on job ads is a condensed, outward-facing version of it.

Treat this as a practical guide, not legal advice. Anti-discrimination law, and the list of protected characteristics, changes from one country and state to the next.

Why your business needs one

  • Legal compliance, anti-discrimination laws (e.g. US Title VII enforced by the EEOC, the UK Equality Act 2010, and similar laws elsewhere) expect employers to prevent workplace discrimination.
  • Recruitment, an equal opportunity employer statement on job ads widens your candidate pool and signals a fair workplace.
  • HR and procurement reviews, larger clients and tenders increasingly ask suppliers for HR policies including EEO.
  • Risk and culture, a clear policy and complaints process reduce the risk of discrimination claims and support an inclusive culture.

What to include: EEO policy template structure

Adapt this outline to your business and jurisdiction:

  1. Purpose and scope, why the policy exists and who it applies to (employees, contractors, applicants).
  2. Policy statement, your commitment to equal opportunity and a workplace free from discrimination.
  3. Protected attributes, the characteristics covered (e.g. race, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, marital status, national origin).
  4. What it covers, recruitment, pay, promotion, training, conditions and termination decisions made on merit.
  5. Prohibited conduct, direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation.
  6. Reasonable adjustments, accommodations for disability and other needs.
  7. Responsibilities, what the business, managers and employees must each do.
  8. Raising concerns, how to report discrimination safely and how complaints are handled.
  9. Breaches, the consequences of non-compliance.
  10. Review and approval, who owns the policy, how often it's reviewed, and sign-off.
List protected attributes that match your jurisdiction. The categories under US, UK and other laws overlap but aren't identical.

Download the editable EEO policy template

Drop your email below and we'll send the full equal opportunity policy template in Word and PDF, plus the employer statement you can lift straight onto job ads.

Equal opportunity employer statement (for job ads)

The equal opportunity employer statement is the short paragraph you add to job postings and your careers page. It's the public face of your EEO policy. Adapt this sample:

"[Business Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, or any other protected characteristic."

Keep it short, genuine and consistent with your full policy. Tailor the protected characteristics to the law in your country.

How to implement your EEO policy

A policy works only when people know it and it shapes real decisions.

  1. 1

    Adapt it to your jurisdiction

    Match the protected attributes and legal references to the country and state you operate in.

  2. 2

    Approve and communicate

    Have it approved by management, then share it with all staff and include it in induction.

  3. 3

    Add the statement to job ads

    Put your equal opportunity employer statement on job postings and your careers page.

  4. 4

    Train managers

    Make sure hiring managers understand merit-based decisions and how to avoid bias.

  5. 5

    Handle complaints fairly

    Follow a clear, consistent process for any discrimination or harassment complaint.

  6. 6

    Review regularly

    Review the policy at least annually and when the law changes.

Free template vs done-for-you document

Happy to tailor the wording and protected-characteristics list yourself? The free template covers it. Prefer it matched to your jurisdiction and ready to go? Here's the done-for-you option.

Free templateDone-for-you document
Price£0Fixed fee
Effort from youA few hours editingA short intake form
Protected characteristicsYou match them to your lawMapped to your jurisdiction
Employer statement for job adsSample providedWritten for you
Ready to issueYou format itSigned-ready PDF
If it needs changesYou redo itWe revise it free

Prefer your EEO policy done for you?

Tell us where you operate and we'll prepare a tailored equal opportunity policy, with the protected characteristics matched to your law and a ready-to-paste employer statement for your job ads.

Requests for the equal opportunity policy are reviewed and prepared manually, we'll follow up by email.

Frequently asked questions

Is this equal opportunity policy template free?+
Yes. The structure, the sample wording and the employer statement are all free to use. Having a tailored, ready-to-issue version prepared for you is the only paid option.
What's the difference between EEO, equal opportunity and equal opportunities?+
They're different names for the same thing. "Equal employment opportunity (EEO)" is common in the US and Australia, while "equal opportunities" is more common in the UK. The policy content is the same.
What's the difference between an EEO policy and an equal opportunity employer statement?+
The policy is the full internal document with rules, responsibilities and a complaints process. The employer statement is the short paragraph you put on job ads and your careers page, a public summary of the policy.
What characteristics should an EEO policy protect?+
Typically race, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, marital status and national origin, but the exact list depends on the anti-discrimination laws in your country and state.
Does my small business need an EEO policy?+
If you employ people, a clear EEO policy helps you comply with anti-discrimination law, hire fairly, and answer HR or procurement questions. It's good practice for businesses of any size.

Related guides

Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy Template->Another core governance policy.Health and Safety Policy Template->A key workplace and prequalification document.Supplier Code of Conduct Template->Extend fair-treatment expectations to suppliers.CSR Policy Template->Covers your people commitments as part of wider responsibility.