How Mosson Law, LLC Can Help You Better Understand The EEOC’s Annual Report 2019
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, called the “EEOC” for short, is the federal agency tasked with investigating and resolving discrimination and retaliation matters at work under a host of several federal laws. The EEOC helps protect and remedy discrimination based on age, disability, race, gender, religion, national origin, and other protected categories, in instances where discrimination has occurred in fact and what has been done is illegal under U.S. law.
The EEOC has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination and retaliation against employers who are covered by the law.
Our role in an investigation is to fairly and accurately assess the allegations in the Charge, advise people on their legal claims, investigate and gather evidence, advocate at the EEOC as appropriate and just, and achieve a positive outcome for you.
Since 1965, the EEOC has released an annual report of their activities and achievements of the past year, and through its report, it’s easy to gauge the direction of the EEOC in the coming year.
The EEOC released its 2019 report on its priorities recently. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and fifty-three field offices serving every part of the nation, the EEOC’s national goals and strategy also reflect changes here in Maryland with how the EEOC handles discrimination and retaliation complaints.
The EEOC Report for 2019 is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/plan/upload/2019apr.pdf.
Based on this past year’s report, it is evident that the EEOC is prioritizing reducing its backlog of cases, reducing the time that it investigates “Charges” of discrimination and retaliation, and prioritizing mediation.
Let's Discuss the 2019 EEOC Annual Report:
As the EEOC reports, it is moving its investigations forward faster. For instance, the EEOC nationally has reduced “the inventory of pending private sector charges by 12.1 percent - to 43,580 charges - the lowest in thirteen years."
The EEOC Press Release on “EEOC Issues Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Performance Report” was released on February 10, 2020, and is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/2-10-20a.cfm.
The EEOC also is prioritizing its mediation program nationally as a “highlight” of its 2019 success. The EEOC reports that in 2019 it achieved, nationwide, “6,394 successful mediations resulting in over $159.6 million in benefits to charging parties.”
See EEOC Report, p. 13, https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/plan/upload/2019apr.pdf.
When people file Charges of discrimination and/or retaliation with the EEOC, sometimes those aggrieved employees are looking for help as well as accountability. While this is possible, the EEOC often takes a problem-solving approach, trying to remedy the problem, not “shame” an employer.
The EEOC’s 2019 strategic priorities reflect this balance, and include remedying illegal conduct, promoting “inclusive workplaces,” and achieving “organizational excellence.”
See EEOC Report, p. 16, https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/plan/upload/2019apr.pdf.
The Maryland Impact:
When filing a “Charge” with the Baltimore Division of the national EEOC, one can see these priorities at work.
Starting in 2019, the EEOC has been referring more Charges to mediation and processing them faster, according to the sample of clients and filings handled by Mosson Law, LLC. It appears the Baltimore Division of the EEOC is moving “Charges” through investigation within a year now. In the past, a “Charge” might not even begin until a year after it has been filed.
If you’re aggrieved and considering approaching the EEOC, it is wise to consult a lawyer before or during the EEOC process, because the law is complicated, and expertise is advisable.
To learn more about the EEOC’s Annual Report 2019 and how it can benefit you, reach out to Mosson Law, LLC based out of Towson, MD. As a leading employment and family law attorney, I focus on representing employees in claims of illegal discrimination, retaliation, disability rights violations, wrongful termination, and owed wages. I also represent family members navigating the complexities of separation, custody, divorce, and alimony.
To learn more about how I can help you, please click here, or get in touch with me by clicking here.