Prior to starting an investigation, the EEOC may invite you and the respondent to participate in the EEOC’s Mediation Program. Mediation is an opportunity for both parties to work with a neutral mediator to discuss and resolve the charge. There are several reasons to mediate:
2. Most mediations are completed in one session. Legal representation is not required because mediation is an informal process.
3. A mediated solution also allows you to control the outcome while avoiding the cost, length, and uncertainty of an investigation and litigation.
The following tasks may be performed after filing a charge, most by using the EEOC Public Portal, and are described in this document:
2. Amend a Charge (Chapter 3)
3. Respond to an Invitation to Mediate Your Charge (Chapter 4)
4. Request and Receive a Copy of the Respondent’s Position Statement (Chapter 5)
5. Submit a Response to the Respondent’s Position Statement (Chapter 6)
You should also keep your contact information and legal representative information (if you are being represented) up-to-date. Also, be sure to upload any documents relevant to your charge. (For details on these tasks, refer to EEOC Public Portal User’s Guide Vol 8 – Manage Case Information.)
The EEOC will notify you when your charge is closed, either because of successful mediation or at the conclusion of its investigation. You may view/download the closure document(s) using the EEOC Public Portal. For more on information on what happens when a charge is closed, refer to EEOC Public Portal User’s Guide Vol 5 – Charge Closure.
