Christopher DeGroff Published in Employment Law Strategist
“EEOC Thinking Big”

Part II of Christopher DeGroff’s two-part article, “EEOC Thinking Big,” was published in Employment Law Strategist’s August issue. While the first part of the article (published in July) discussed the EEOC’s plans to implement its new Systemic Discrimination Initiative, the conclusion discusses the next four steps of the EEOC’s plans and what employers can expect.

Christopher notes that the EEOC plans to develop a technology infrastructure that will help in “analyzing data with an emphasis on the ‘big picture’ from both national and regional perspectives.”  The EEOC also “expects to share and coordinate resources and cultivate a national practice” as it follows a national law firm model. In addition to partnering, mentoring and collaboration, Christopher notes that there “are several ways the EEOC plans to raise the general expertise in handling systemic cases.” Coupled with a “more experienced, better trained EEOC staff investigating charges and ultimately litigating cases,” Christopher points out that the “EEOC need not wait for an employee to bring a charge of discrimination to conduct an investigation. EEOC Commissioner charges and directed investigations can take the place of individual charge filing.”

In conclusion, Christopher notes that “Employers should take the EEOC’s Systemic Initiative seriously… Employers’ efforts to maintain effective non-discrimination and prohibited harassment policies, paired with robust training programs, are as important as ever."