DOJ Investigates austin’s Racial Equity Policies for Potential Discrimination
Teh U.S. department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil rights inquiry into the City of Austin‘s employment practices, focusing on whether recent policies designed to promote racial equity violate federal law. The investigation, authorized under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, centers on concerns that the city’s initiatives may lead to discrimination against job applicants, current employees, and participants in city-sponsored training programs.
The DOJ’s scrutiny stems from directives issued by the city’s Office of Equity, which aimed to integrate a “racial equity lens” across all City departments. These directives included instructions for managers to establish racial equity expectations during hiring processes, prioritize racial equity criteria in executive searches, and collect employee demographic data to identify and address disparities. The office also promoted the use of “racial equity tools” to influence policy, program, and budget decisions.
According to the DOJ, these measures raise legal questions regarding potential discriminatory practices. While officials emphasize that the investigation is preliminary and no conclusions have been reached, the probe signals a significant challenge to Austin’s efforts to proactively address systemic racial inequities.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Eric Sell is leading the investigation.
The City of Austin maintains it’s compliance with federal law. A city spokesman told Texas scorecard, “We are confident that the City is in full compliance with the law.”