EEOC Begins Pilot Online Discrimination Charge System | Practical Law

EEOC Begins Pilot Online Discrimination Charge System | Practical Law

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it will begin, in 11 of its offices, a pilot program called ACT Digital, that will allow the digital transmission of discrimination charge documents, notices and communication between employers and the agency. The pilot program is the EEOC's initial step in transitioning to a streamlined online charge system.

EEOC Begins Pilot Online Discrimination Charge System

Practical Law Legal Update 5-612-0598 (Approx. 3 pages)

EEOC Begins Pilot Online Discrimination Charge System

by Practical Law Labor & Employment
Published on 11 May 2015 • USA (National/Federal)
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it will begin, in 11 of its offices, a pilot program called ACT Digital, that will allow the digital transmission of discrimination charge documents, notices and communication between employers and the agency. The pilot program is the EEOC's initial step in transitioning to a streamlined online charge system.
On May 6, 2015, the EEOC announced that it will begin a pilot program called ACT Digital in 11 of its 53 offices. The rollout begins in the EEOC offices of Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Norfolk, Raleigh, Richmond and San Francisco, to be followed by the Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis and Phoenix offices by the end of the month. The program will allow the digital transmission of discrimination charge documents between employers and the agency. The pilot program is the EEOC's initial step in transitioning to an online charge system that will streamline the submission of:
  • Documents.
  • Notices.
  • Communications.
With the implementation of ACT Digital, the EEOC hopes to:
  • Enhance customer service.
  • Reduce paper usage for files and submissions.
  • Minimize the administrative burden on agency staff.
The new ACT Digital system applies to:
  • Private employers.
  • Public employers.
  • Employment agencies.
  • Unions.
When an EEOC charge is filed against an employer, the newly-designed EEOC notice of charge provides a password-protected log-in for the employer to access the system in the pilot offices. Through the secure portal, ACT Digital allows employers to:
  • Download charges.
  • Review and respond to mediation invitations.
  • Submit position statements.
  • Provide and verify employer contact information.
Once employers begin using ACT Digital, they are still permitted to opt out of the system and submit and receive their documents and communication in paper form.