Module 2-Eeoc Small Business

EEOC: Small Business vs. Large Business

Most often small businesses are privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships. Small businesses are typically include: convenience stores, small shops (book store, bakery or deli), beauty salons, small law firms, accountants/cpa, restaurants, bed & breakfast, photographers, small-scale manufacturing, and online businesses (boutique, web design). In order to qualify for many U.S. Small Business Administration programs, small business must have fewer than 500 employees (SBA).

99 percent of all independent enterprises in the country employ fewer than 500 people. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, these small enterprises account for 52 percent of all U.S. workers (SBA). Some 19.6 million Americans work for companies employing fewer than 20 workers, 18.4 million work for firms employing between 20 and 99 workers, and 14.6 million work for firms with 100 to 499 workers. By contrast, 47.7 million Americans work for firms with 500 or more employees (SBA).

U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) laws cover all private employers, state & local government employers, and educational institutions that employ 15 or more individuals; however, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) covers employers with 20 or more employees (Ingram). These laws also cover private and public employment agencies, labor organizations, and joint labor management committees controlling apprenticeship and training. It was stated that it can be complicated trying to figure out whether or not an employer has enough employees to be covered by the laws enforced by EEOC. If it is found that an employer doesn’t have enough employees to be covered under the laws we enforced by EEOC, they may still be covered under state or local law. Field offices have been set up locally to assist in figuring out how many employees fall under an employer.

After reviewing the U. S. Equal Employment...