EEOC initiates first steps in digital charge system

On May 26, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Detroit Field Office will begin its pilot program called ACT Digital to transmit digital charge documents between the EEOC and employers against whom a charge of discrimination has been filed after the commencement of the pilot. This is the first step in the EEOC's move toward a digital charge system that will streamline the submission of documents, notices and communications in the EEOC's charge system which applies to private and public employers, unions and employment agencies. The EEOC receives about 90,000 charges per year, making its charge system the agency's most common interaction with the public. The EEOC's ACT Digital initiative seeks to improve customer service, ease the administrative burden on staff, and reduce the use of paper submissions and files. The first phase of ACT Digital allows an employer against whom a charge has been filed to communicate with the EEOC thru a secure portal to download the charge, review and respond to an invitation to mediate, submit a position statement, and provide and verify their contact information. The newly designed EEOC notice of a charge will provide a password-protected log in for the employer in the pilot offices to access the system. Employers will also have the option of opting out of the pilot program and receiving and submitting all documents and communications in paper form. EEOC Chair Jenny R. Yang praised ACT Digital as an innovative first step in streamlining the agency's charge system that will improve its responsiveness to the public, save resources, and protect the security and storage of documents in an online system. "The EEOC's pilot of a digital charge system is a big step forward that will benefit the public and our staff," Yang noted. "We encourage employers to give us candid feedback and suggestions during the pilots so we can make adjustments to strengthen the system." For feedback or further information contact Lolita Davis, outreach manager and small business liaison, and Frederick Buchner, investigator for the Detroit Field Office of the EEOC. The Detroit Field Office covers the State of Michigan and 15 counties in Northwest Ohio. The EEOC enforces the nation's law prohibiting discrimination in employment. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Published: Mon, May 25, 2015