--- title: HR Huddle - How to Effectively Respond to EEOC Charges description: HR Tips, Trends and Critical Information for Government Contractors. From August 30, 2020. image: https://info.redstonegci.com/hubfs/images/Blog_Images_with_title/RGCI%20-%20HR%20Huddle%20-%20How%20to%20Effectively%20Respond%20to%20EEOC%20Charges.png --- [ PAY INVOICE](https://redstonegci.com/invoice-payment/) [Call Us Today 256-704-9800](tel:2567049800) [info@redstonegci.com](Mailto:info@redstonegci.com) [![Redstone_Logo](https://info.redstonegci.com/hubfs/redstone%20logo%20version%201%20-%20rgb-1.png)](https://www.redstonegci.com/) # HR Huddle - How to Effectively Respond to EEOC Charges [Posted by Jamie Brabston, JD on Tue, Aug 30, 2022 @ 10:08 AM](https://info.redstonegci.com/blog/author/jamie-brabston) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![RGCI - HR Huddle - How to Effectively Respond to EEOC Charges](https://info.redstonegci.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Blog_Images_with_title/RGCI%20-%20HR%20Huddle%20-%20How%20to%20Effectively%20Respond%20to%20EEOC%20Charges.png?width=1000&name=RGCI%20-%20HR%20Huddle%20-%20How%20to%20Effectively%20Respond%20to%20EEOC%20Charges.png) ## Did You Know that Over 60,000 Charges of Workplace Discrimination Were Filed in the Fiscal Year 2021? When an employer receives an EEOC Charge of Discrimination, they need to take it very seriously and thoughtfully consider how to prepare a response, which is referred to as a Position Statement. Businesses of all sizes need to understand the ramifications of an EEOC Charge, and to establish policies and procedures to respond to charges and to reduce the likelihood of being charged with discrimination, harassment or retaliation. There are a variety of laws enforced by the EEOC, including: - [Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964) (prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on sex/gender identity and sexual orientation/race/nationality/religion) - [Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/pregnancy-discrimination-act-1978) - [Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/age-discrimination-employment-act-1967) - [Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/genetic-information-nondiscrimination-act-2008) - [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/titles-i-and-v-americans-disabilities-act-1990-ada) - [Equal Pay Act of 1963](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/equal-pay-act-1963) - [The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 501 & 505)](https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/rehabilitation-act-1973) [The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)](https://www.eeoc.gov/) is an independent federal agency that promotes equal opportunity in employment through administrative and judicial enforcement of the federal civil rights. A “Charge of Discrimination” is a complaint by a current or former employee (or applicant who did not receive an offer of employment) that the Company violated EEO law(s), such as those prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. ## The EEOC Process The process of filing an EEOC charge is lengthy, and employees (or applicants) must explore and utilize administrative remedies with both state agencies and EEOC before a lawsuit may be filed. When an employer is issued a notice, mediation is usually offered, and the employer is given an opportunity to accept or deny this offer. Please be aware that many states and local jurisdictions have their own anti-discrimination laws, so there may be dual-filed charges with EEOC and the Fair Employment Practices Agencies (FEPAs). The charge will be accessible through EEOC’s Digital Charge System, where you can access the full document, which should be promptly shared with your HR, compliance, or in-house legal counsel. If you do not have a [dedicated team to handle EEOC Charges](https://redstonegci.com/internal-investigations-audit-support/), you should consider engaging a legal expert to guide you. ## The EEOC Response When you receive a notice of an EEOC charge, file your response—providing details and including supporting documents—through the EEOC portal within 30 days, unless you obtain an extension. Be patient as you wait for a response asking for additional information, an offer of mediation or an EEOC decision. If you do not file a response, EEOC will investigate without your position, and most likely assume that the violations occurred and issue findings in favor of the “Charging Party” ## EEOC Mediation Mediation is usually the first choice offered in an EEOC charge, although it is voluntary for both parties. Should you choose to pursue mediation, EEOC will schedule a trained mediator to handle the process. If successful, the parties will execute an enforceable agreement, and if unsuccessful, the charge investigation will continue and all discussions related to the mediation will remain confidential. ## EEOC Resolution If the charge is not settled through mediation, there are several other methods to resolve the dispute. Once the EEOC investigation is complete, there will be a determination issued of either “Cause” or “No Cause,” which means that the EEOC did or did not find “cause” to believe the alleged violations occurred. If the EEOC finds “cause” to believe the applicable statutes were violated, they may offer to settle the charge through voluntary conciliation, in which the EEOC investigator works with the parties to develop a suitable remedy for the alleged discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation. If conciliation fails, the EEOC has the option of filing a lawsuit against you in federal court for statutory violation or, in the alternative, the charging party will be issued a Notice of Right to Sue, allowing them to file a federal lawsuit against the employer within 90 days. It should be noted that even when the EEOC issues a “no cause” determination, the Charging party is still issued a Notice of Right to Sue letter. ## Best Practices in EEOC Responses Although an EEOC charge can be intimidating, it is neither unmanageable nor something to ignore. Best practices include: - Share information only with necessary members of your team, and if you have an HR/Compliance team, designate just a few members to act as representatives for the employer. - Investigate the claims. Make sure to gather all the facts before preparing the response. - Be prepared to provide copies of all related documents, including the Charging Party’s personnel or application file, training, and your company’s policies and procedures. - Continue to document the process, both to ensure you are following EEOC protocol, meeting deadlines and to improve your response process for future cases. - Don’t forget that even if EEOC finds “cause,” you can still settle or fight the charges by defending a lawsuit. ## Will You Need an Expert? Our experts have decades of experience working in-house and consulting, [assisting government contractors and other employers to respond successfully to EEOC Charges](https://redstonegci.com/internal-investigations-audit-support/). During this process, we will: - Review all applicable documentation. - Investigate any claims which you have not already investigated in-house. - Identify and interview all relevant witnesses and assist in taking measures to ensure no retaliation. - Work with you to ensure you fully understand the claims, as well as the EEOC process. - Assist you in evaluating whether to engage in mediation. - Prepare a succinct but thorough Position Statement covering all claims. [![Learn More About Our OFCCP Compliance Services](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/203971/interactive-168738140513.png) ](https://info.redstonegci.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLibNS8m5jYVx3AyK9FI5nvWHWQV3dmdBv13FKGuKT2OCjGMR8BYJp2rIL1Hl75flCdVglYHTueu%2FpfG3VsDN7tp5K%2BDUeXvpZyq8AUAuSYg46ak3krRFy94BpfpdJ6ykvs72LqAbhkF%2BukuKAeRU2URwWdj2%2FCn4a%2Bj0LTV3VNVUAg1NR03Ankr9BcXvNfUHF4lzP0MAlUeZHLmYv1IuiSUSizNCL1kkk6AZLK8YCEQ2dvzg2i9So5nPgnv3Tsmun5N2xKv8XM2kCk6KRqGAv%2BfCtGMpZSoSNE5Nk%3D&webInteractiveContentId=168738140513&portalId=203971) ### Written by [Jamie Brabston, JD](https://info.redstonegci.com/blog/author/jamie-brabston) ![Jamie Brabston, JD](https://info.redstonegci.com/hubfs/images/Staff_/Jamie-Brabston-Redstone-GCI.png) Jamie Brabston is a Director & Legal Counsel with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. (Redstone GCI), specializing in Labor and Employment Law, with an emphasis on government contract law and compliance. Prior to joining Redstone GCI, Jamie was Senior Counsel with Lehr Middlebrooks Vreeland & Thompson, P.C., a boutique labor and employment law firm based in Birmingham, AL. Jamie assists employers with compliance, problem prevention, the analysis of complex employment law and contract related issues, as well as conducting investigations related to all types of employee complaints. In addition, Jamie works with employers in responding to complaints filed with external agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the United States Department of Labor (Wage & Hour, OSHA and the OFCCP), as well as state Departments of Labor. Jamie also provides litigation support as needed. In addition, Jamie advises federal government contractors with contract specific requirements such as affirmative action compliance, Service Contract Act and Davis Bacon, FAR requirements for ethics policies and awareness programs, the Drug Free Workplace Act and related record keeping. Jamie often assists contractors in performing mock compliance assessments to ensure they are prepared in the event of an audit or investigation. Jamie is a proficient trainer and speaker and is a primary instructor for the Federal Publications Seminars course, “HR for Government Contractors.” Additionally, Jamie regularly conducts training and education for individual employers and their employees on non-discrimination and anti-harassment, as well as training sessions for executive and non-executive management on a wide variety of overall management leadership skills, and government contract specific topics. Jamie also specializes and advises clients on employee benefits issues including ERISA welfare benefit plans, HIPAA, wellness plans, COBRA, the Affordable Care Act, and other federal and state laws, including related reporting requirements. Professional Experience In addition to her experience with Lehr Middlebrooks Vreeland & Thompson, P.C., Jamie was an attorney and shareholder with Huntsville, AL based law firm, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne from 1994– 2006, where she defended large and small employers, including government contractors, in litigation involving sexual harassment, retaliatory discharge, disability, age, religion, race and sex discrimination, FMLA, ERISA, invasion of privacy, negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud and breach of contract. From 2006- 2009, Jamie served as General Counsel, Vice President of Human Resources, and Corporate Secretary for Digital Fusion, Inc., a Huntsville based government contractor. In 2009, Jamie founded her own employment law compliance firm, Practical Employment Solutions, Inc., where she partnered directly with small businesses, including government contractors, to assist them with a full range of human resource and employment law compliance needs specifically targeted to prevent and correct employment law and other compliance issues before governmental audits, investigations or litigation occurred. Jamie has also represented government contractors with restrictive covenant issues, and defended a mid-size, Virginia based contractor in a lawsuit involving allegations of violations of non-competition agreements and misappropriation of trade secrets. ## About Redstone GCI Redstone GCI is a consulting firm focused on fulfilling the needs of government contractors in all areas of compliance. With a singular mission to help contractors through the multiple layers of “red tape,” we allow contractors to focus on what they do best – support their mission with the U.S. Government. We are home to a group of consultants made up of GovCon industry professionals, CPAs, attorneys, and retired government audit and acquisition professionals. Our focus and knowledge of audit and compliance functions administered by DCAA and DCMA will always be at the heart of what we do. However, for the past decade, we’ve strategically grown to support other areas of the government contractor back-office with that same level of focus and expertise. We’ve added expertise in contracts management, subcontract administration, proposal pricing, various software systems, HR and employment law, property administration, manufacturing, data analytics/reporting, Grant specialists, M&A, and many other areas. When we see a trend in the needs of contractors, we act to ensure we can provide the best expertise in the market to fulfill those needs. One thing our clients can be certain of is that with the Redstone GCI Team in your corner, there is no problem too big and no issue too technical for our team to tackle. 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