Online System Changes How Employees Initiate Discrimination & Harassment Claims
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has launched a new Online Inquiry and Appointment System. This system will permit electronic inquiries and requests for intake interviews. Previously, such inquiries and requests were done in person, through regular mail, or by telephone.
The EEOC is launching this system in five cities (Charlotte, Chicago, New Orleans, Phoenix and Seattle). The EEOC will evaluate the performance of the system, in anticipation of a nationwide roll-out later in 2017.
What Will New System Mean to Discrimination Charges Against Employers?
The EEOC receives approximately 200,000 inquires per year, and about 90,000 of those result in formal charges of discrimination. The idea behind the new system is to make the EEOC more accessible to potential claimants. Once the system is rolled out, employers can expect a potential increase in the number of inquiries and subsequent charges of discrimination.