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Free online event

When a DEI Complaint Becomes a Whistleblower Case: What DOJ and the EEOC Are Going After Now

The Justice Department says it strongly encourages whistleblower suits over DEI, and Deloitte's $21.5 million settlement began with information from a former employee. The EEOC has made DEI a national enforcement priority too. How to take in and investigate these complaints, and protect the people who raise them, before one turns into a whistleblower suit.

When Tuesday, September 21, 2027 at 11:00 AM EDTWhere OnlineCost Free

Why now

Deloitte: $21.5 million, August 2026

The suit was filed by an advocacy group, the American Alliance for Equal Rights, using information from a former Deloitte employee. The group receives $4.3 million. Deloitte admitted no liability.

"The Department strongly encourages these lawsuits"

DOJ's May 2025 Civil Rights Fraud Initiative memo says this of whistleblower suits over discrimination by companies that take federal money, and asks anyone who knows of it to report it.

IBM: $17,077,043, April 2026

The first DEI-related False Claims Act resolution, brought by the government itself. IBM admitted no liability.

Objecting is protected

EEOC guidance says Title VII bars retaliation against an employee who objects to or opposes discrimination related to DEI. Whether the False Claims Act's own protection covers these complaints has not been tested in court.

What you will learn

1What IBM and Deloitte were accused of, in plain terms
2How an internal complaint can end up as a False Claims Act whistleblower case
3Intake and investigation steps that hold up and protect privilege
4Your anti-retaliation duties under Title VII, and the open question under the False Claims Act

Agenda

12 minThe IBM and Deloitte settlements
12 minThe EEOC's plan and its first suits
15 minTaking in and triaging DEI complaints
11 minRetaliation and whistleblower protection
10 minYour questions
60 minThe virtual expo hall opens: visit the sponsor booths

Who should attend

Ethics and compliance officers, hotline and investigations teams, HR and employee relations leaders, and employment counsel at federal contractors and grant recipients.

Speakers

Speakers will be announced. The panel will include:

False Claims Act defense counsel
An employment litigator
An ethics and compliance officer who runs a hotline
A former government contracts compliance lead

Virtual expo hall

When the session ends, the expo hall opens for an hour. Step into a sponsor's booth in a new tab to watch their short session and pick up their resources, then come back to the main stage whenever you like.