EEOC unveils mediation pilot program

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Tuesday it has introduced a six-month pilot program intended to expand opportunities for parties to voluntarily resolve charges through mediation.

The agency said its Access, Categories, Time Mediation pilot, which began Monday, expands the categories of charges eligible mediation and generally allows for mediation throughout an investigation.

It said until now, only certain categories of charges were referred to the mediation program at the charge investigation process’ beginning. The pilot will also expand the use of technology to hold virtual mediations, the agency said.

The agency also said Monday that in May it had introduced a conciliation pilot program. It said the program “recommits EEOC to resolving charges through conciliation as these resolutions are one of the most effective means for bringing employers into compliance with the statutes the agency enforces.

It said conciliation is an informal and confidential process required by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.