The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is designed to ensure that all employees are treated equally with regards to the hiring, promotion, and firing aspects of business, as well as others. The laws of the EEOC impact the workplace in a number of ways. They give every employee the opportunity to file a complaint when they feel they have been discriminated against. As such, the number of claims is continually rising. Another EEOC impact is felt on the employer's side of the table. They are no longer able to simply discharge an older employee. This means they will continue to pay higher insurance premiums, and in some cases, higher salaries. The impact on the EEOC itself is that it is constantly challenging and being challenged which cost taxpayer a bundle of money every year. The most important EEOC impact, however, is that older employees are protected from discrimination, and can maintain an income that meets their current standard of living.