This year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission expanded the mediation program it implemented in 1995. The Commission, which enforces such major federal civil rights legislation as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, announced that it will more vigorously encourage mediation of employment discrimination complaints. Traditionally, the EEOC has enforced anti-discrimination laws by investigation of employee complaints and the preparation of consent agreements. While the Commission still devotes much of its time to such duties, its staff also offers to mediate claims of illegal employment practices.
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution.
Typically, a mediator will serve as an intermediary between opposing parties in a discrimination dispute. The mediator strives to conduct the process in a non-adversarial and informal atmosphere. While the mediator may offer suggestions in an effort to resolve the underlying dispute, whether a resolution is indeed reached is determined solely by the parties. Statements made in the course of a mediation proceeding are confidential, by agreement of the parties. All Rights Reserved.