How will EEOC’s digital reboot affect discrimination, harassment claims?
Does the EEOC have your email address? It’s going to want it.
The reason: It’s converting to an all-digital complaint system. So, in the near future, employers will no longer receive paper notices when harassment or discrimination charges are filed against them.
Under the new system, dubbed the “Digital Charge System,” employers will be notified via email when an EEOC charge has been filed against them.
The email will contain a link to a secure online portal, through which employers can:
- view and download the charges against them
- review invitations to mediate and respond to charges
- submit legal representation info
- submit position statements, and
- otherwise communicate with the EEOC.
When?
The EEOC is currently in “Phase One” of its conversion to the digital system.
Currently, 11 of its 53 field offices are using the new system.
This includes:
- Charlotte, NC
- Denver
- Detroit
- Greensboro, NC
- Greenville, SC
- Indianapolis
- Norfolk, VA
- Phoenix
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- San Francisco
By October 2015, the EEOC expects all of its field offices to be using the new system.
If the EEOC doesn’t have your email address, it’ll mail a paper notice to inform you of any charges filed against you and provide instructions for logging into the portal.
What’s next?
Besides rolling the system out to the rest of its field offices, the EEOC also plans to also establish a secure portal for individuals who file a charge of employment discrimination.
Translation: It sounds like it’s about to get easier for employees to file charges with the EEOC and follow up on them.
