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The new video 10 Reasons to Mediate introduces businesses to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) National Mediation Program. Mediation is usually a preferable alternative to a traditional EEOC investigation and to enforcement and litigation steps that may follow. Mediation allows the parties involved in a charge of discrimination to resolve their differences quickly and amicably without a determination by the EEOC on the merits of the case.
Hear from other employers who already have participated in the EEOC's voluntary National Mediation Program and believe that you should, too, if a charge is filed against your company. We encourage you to watch this trailer for a preview of the video . . . and to order or download a free copy of the full presentation. We hope that you will share it with colleagues in your community and contact us with any questions you may have.
If you have a CD-ROM writer, you can download a CD-ROM disk image in .iso (ISO 9660) format and create your own CD-ROM (please refer to your CD-ROM writing software's documentation for instructions). The CD-ROM, which you are free to copy and distribute, includes the video and its own video player software, and will run automatically when placed in the CD drive of a computer running Windows. The video runs 14 minutes and is open captioned.
You can also download the MPEG video file without the player, if you want to watch the video without creating a CD-ROM. This is also the best option for use on Mac OS X, Linux or Unix, or for sharing on an intranet.
For a free copy of the "10 Reasons to Mediate" video on compact disc, please send an e-mail request to MediationCD@eeoc.gov or call (202) 663-4823.
EEOC's National Mediation Program is available at no cost to the parties.
Parties have an equal say in the process and they, not the mediator, decide the terms of the settlement. There is no determination of guilt or innocence in the process.
Mediation usually occurs early in the charge process, and many mediations are completed in one meeting. Legal or other representation is optional but not required.
All parties sign a confidentiality agreement. Information disclosed during mediation will not be revealed to anyone, including EEOC investigative or legal staff.
Mediation costs less than a lawsuit and avoids the uncertainty of a judicial outcome.
Mediation fosters a problem-solving approach to complaints and workplace disruptions are reduced. With an investigation, even if the charge is dismissed by EEOC, underlying problems may remain, affecting others in the workforce.
Mediation provides a neutral and confidential setting in which the parties can openly discuss their views on the underlying dispute. Enhanced communication can lead to mutually satisfactory resolutions.
Parties share information, which can lead to a better understanding of issues affecting the workplace.
A neutral third party assists the parties in reaching a voluntary, mutually beneficial resolution. Mediation can resolve all issues important to the parties, not just the underlying legal dispute.
An independent survey showed 96% of all respondents and 91% of all charging parties who used mediation would use it again.
This page was last modified on July 20, 2005.
