EI in appeals may clarify and resolve the concerns of the appellant much more quickly than going to a formal appeal hearing. The EI meeting is a more informal and less confrontational process where the parties are encouraged to openly discuss their concerns in a more comfortable atmosphere. For the department's or the appellant's representative, it may save preparation time for the appeal hearing. For the appellant and manager it may improve working relationships. The EI process may result in the withdrawal of the appeal or a concession by the department.
Any agreement reached between parties concerning their individual concerns is binding.
However there can be no binding resolution that affects the outcome of the selection process. For example, if the department concedes that the selection was not made according to merit, the appeal must be conceded at a formal appeal hearing in order to give the successful candidates an opportunity to be heard.