EEOC to Explore Wellness Programs

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold a meeting on Wednesday, May 8, at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), at agency headquarters, 131 M Street, N.E. In accordance with the Sunshine Act, the open session of the meeting will be open to public observation of the Commission's deliberations.

The Commission will hear from invited panelists on the treatment of wellness programs under federal law, with an emphasis on understanding the ways in which the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and other statutes EEOC enforces may be implicated by these programs.

The Commission is scheduled to hear from the following confirmed panelists:

• Christopher Kuczynski, Acting Associate Legal Counsel, EEOC
• Judith Lichtman, Senior Advisor, National Partnership for Women and Families
• Jennifer Mathis, Deputy Legal Director, Bazelon Center for Mental Health, on behalf of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
• Amy Moore, Partner, Covington and Burling LLP, on behalf of the ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC)
• Karen Pollitz, Senior Fellow, Kaiser Family Foundation
• Leslie Silverman, Partner, Proskauer Rose, LLP; Former EEOC Vice Chair (2002-2008)
• Tami Simon, Managing Director, Knowledge Resource Center, Buck Consultants, on behalf of the American Benefits Council (ABC)

Seating is limited, and EEOC encourages visitors to arrive 30 minutes before the meeting in order to be processed through security and escorted to the meeting room. Visitors should bring a government issued photo identification card to facilitate entry into the building.

The Commission agenda is subject to revision. Additional information about the hearing, when available, will be posted at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/index.cfm.

As part of the EEOC's commitment to cut costs whenever possible, every effort is being made to utilize local resources and technology to facilitate testimony. The agency will continue to fulfill its mission to stop and remedy employment discrimination by balancing the need to provide service to the public with fiscal responsibility.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.