By Godson Umejiego, Correspondent USA
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced the conclusion of two six-month pilot programmes relating to the agency’s conciliation and mediation efforts. The two pilots were announced in July 2020 and originally set to last six months.
The EEOC’s popular mediation programme has a proven record of success. Since the programme was first implemented agency-wide in 1999, the agency has conducted more than 240,000 mediations, resolving over 170,000 charges and obtaining over US$3 billion in benefits for aggrieved individuals.
The Commission will incorporate into the mediation programme some of the practices the agency has found useful over the past several months, including the use of video technology to hold virtual mediations whenever possible. Pilot participants generally, and employees in particular, expressed an overwhelming preference for video mediations over audio-only conferences. The EEOC will also continue to send electronic surveys to programme participants who are able to respond electronically and will incorporate feedback from participants and agency mediators on how to improve virtual mediations. Finally, the parties may request mediation at any point during the administrative process.
“I strongly support the prompt and voluntary resolution of discrimination charges whenever doing so is consistent with our mission,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. “The Commission will continue to strengthen its conciliation and mediation programs in accordance with the overarching goal of preventing and remedying discrimination in the workplace.”
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
