> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.kombo.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# EEO questions

> Getting and answering EEO and demographic questions

EEO questions are a special type of demographic questions used exclusively in the United States. These questions help companies comply with federal regulations and collect statistical data. All responses are sensitive and cannot be used in hiring decisions. Here's what you need to know:

## What is EEO and OFCCP?

Large companies in the US need to prove they're not discriminating when hiring. They collect statistical data for the *Equal Employment Opportunity Commission* (EEOC). For federal contractors and subcontractors, the *Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs* (OFCCP) has additional reporting obligations.

Here are typical EEO/OFCCP questions:

* What is your **gender**? *(Male, Female, I choose not to disclose)*
* What is your **race/ethnicity**? *(White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, ...)*
* Are you a protected **veteran**? *(Yes, No, I don't wish to answer)*
* Do you have a **disability**? *(Yes, No, I don't wish to answer)*

<Note>
  When getting jobs from Kombo, you can identify these questions by checking if
  the `category` is `"EEO"`.
</Note>

## What is *not* EEO?

While EEO questions are specifically for US regulatory compliance, some companies collect additional demographic/diversity information to gain deeper insights into their applicant pool. Though these questions may *resemble* EEO questions, they differ significantly as EEO requirements follow strict regulatory guidelines.

Here are typical demographic questions:

* How would you describe your **gender identity**?
* How would you describe your **sexual orientation**?
* ...

<Note>
  When getting jobs from Kombo, you can identify these questions by checking if
  the `category` is `"DEMOGRAPHIC"`.
</Note>

<Frame caption="Greenhouse: Both demographic and EEO questions can be enabled separately.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kombo/OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt/images/ats-eeo/greenhouse-job-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt&q=85&s=4a79a271ff9d4c40d83a133b1d49551d" width="1842" height="669" data-path="images/ats-eeo/greenhouse-job-settings.png" />
</Frame>

## Tools

Many ATS handle EEO data collection differently. Here are the common approaches:

* **Dedicated EEO feature:** These ATS include a global setting to enable EEO/demographic questions. They determine if the organization is a government contractor to configure the appropriate OFCCP questions. Applicants receive a standardized set of questions with required legal disclaimers and compliance text.

  <Frame caption="Ashby: A dedicated EEO feature with pre-written legal texts.">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kombo/OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt/images/ats-eeo/ashby-survey-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt&q=85&s=bdcfd323d5cbcc606be7b4368fd25dc3" width="1570" height="912" data-path="images/ats-eeo/ashby-survey-settings.png" />
  </Frame>

* **Via email after the initial application:** Instead of collecting responses during the initial application, the system sends applicants a follow-up email with the EEO questions.

  <Frame caption="Recruitee: Applicants not using the application form directly will receive an email the next day.">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kombo/OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt/images/ats-eeo/recruitee-email-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt&q=85&s=8ee0921d2ef94aa6fdd31fc93b30dd40" width="1627" height="1081" data-path="images/ats-eeo/recruitee-email-settings.png" />
  </Frame>

* **Generic questions:** Some ATS have no dedicated EEO feature. Instead, they use other features like marking normal questions as sensitive/confidential so that hiring managers cannot see the answers.

  <Warning>
    For these ATS we are unable to automatically detect which questions are
    EEO-related. As a result, all questions will have a `category` of `null`.
  </Warning>

  <Frame caption="SAP SuccessFactors: There is no dedicated EEO feature. So the EEO questions are found somewhere else...">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/kombo/OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt/images/ats-eeo/sf-question-setting.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=OkxC1UMu0PfEDAZt&q=85&s=1794408ecaf2bd85a1ac83df92899e3a" width="1668" height="962" data-path="images/ats-eeo/sf-question-setting.png" />
  </Frame>

## Setup

To implement EEO questions, follow these steps. The process is exactly the same as regular screening questions — you can however customize it by looking at the `category` of a question.

```json {9, 11, 41, 43} [expandable] theme={null}
{
  "screening_questions": [
    {
      "id": "2rohQtBSjscDVBttkqMx3ji9",
      "remote_id": "k_survey_info:FZRFVBch2JxVquT8eYA4Mo1h",
      "title": "",
      "description": "<p><strong>SELF-IDENTIFICATION OF VETERAN STATUS </strong> (Completion is voluntary and will not subject you to adverse treatment)</p> [...]</li></ul>",
      "format": {
        "type": "INFORMATION"
      },
      "category": "EEO",
      "index": 8,
      "required": false,
      "precondition_question_id": null,
      "precondition_options": null
    },
    {
      "id": "APca7spVWAvy7SXpaojjkQUs",
      "remote_id": "f5a325c7-7f92-475d-8146-88cea860ad02",
      "title": "Veteran Status",
      "description": null,
      "format": {
        "display_type": "RADIO",
        "options": [
          {
            "id": "6gf8f9n749a3hDABotKqSZMb",
            "remote_id": "protected_veteran",
            "name": "I identify as one or more of the classifications of protected veteran listed above"
          },
          {
            "id": "EQ6bFJeiWsFJ5heHBXENXuRa",
            "remote_id": "non_protected_veteran",
            "name": "I am not a protected veteran"
          },
          {
            "id": "G1m7orKqwb4wf6jj8CqYjv9D",
            "remote_id": "decline_to_self_identify",
            "name": "I decline to self-identify for protected veteran status"
          }
        ],
        "type": "SINGLE_SELECT"
      },
      "category": "EEO",
      "index": 9,
      "required": false,
      "precondition_question_id": null,
      "precondition_options": null
    }
  ]
}
```

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get questions">
    When [reading jobs](/ats/v1/get-jobs), you'll receive a list of questions. Look for questions where `category` is set to `"EEO"` or `"DEMOGRAPHIC"`. For more details on handling questions, refer to the [implementation guide for screening questions](/ats/implementation-guide/screening-questions).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Display questions">
    Display the questions to the applicant, ensuring you follow these guidelines:

    <Warning>
      Please ensure that the text of all legal disclaimers is displayed. You must show the `description` field in two contexts:

      1. Below form inputs (single-select, multi-select, etc.)
      2. As standalone information blocks for `"type": "INFORMATION"`
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit answers">
    When [submitting](/ats/v1/post-jobs-job-id-applications) an application, include the answers to the EEO/demographic questions. For more information on creating applications, see the [implementation guide on creating applications](/ats/implementation-guide/creating-applications).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## FAQ

#### Can EEO & diversity questions be enabled at the same time?

Yes, this is possible. For example, in Greenhouse you can enable both EEO & demographic questions simultaneously. They will appear in the same array of questions but with different `category` values (`"EEO"` vs `"DEMOGRAPHIC"`).

#### How do I know if a question is EEO-related?

When getting jobs from Kombo, check the `category` field of each question:

* `"EEO"` indicates an EEO/OFCCP compliance question
* `"DEMOGRAPHIC"` indicates a general diversity/demographic question
* `null` is the default and likely means a screening question

#### Are EEO questions required?

The actual questions are typically marked as optional for applicants. However, you should always display these questions when they are present in the job data as organizations are dependent on collecting enough responses.

### Do I only need to display the questions to people in the US?

No action is required on your part.

The ATS (or Kombo) will automatically determine whether EEO questions should be shown, based on the **job’s location**. EEO questions are typically only displayed for jobs *located* in the United States, and will only be returned via the API when relevant.

### What tools are supported?

You can find a detailed overview of supported ATS platforms in the [ATS coverage grid](https://app.kombo.dev/coverage/ats) on your dashboard. This grid also provides information about how each ATS handles EEO questions (for example, whether they are collected via email or directly in the initial application).

If you need support for an additional ATS, please contact us to request coverage.