EEOC AND STATE OF NEW MEXICO LAUNCH LANDMARK MEDIATION PARTNERSHIP

First Universal Mediation Agreement Between EEOC and State Government Bolsters National Trend

SANTA FE, N.M. – The U.S.  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the State of New Mexico today  announced the signing of a Regional Universal Agreement to Mediate to  informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution  (ADR). The new partnership marks the  first time the EEOC has entered into a universal mediation agreement with a  state government.

“We commend  the State of New Mexico for joining hundreds of private employers who have  signed on to the EEOC’s highly successful mediation program, the largest  employment ADR program of its kind,” said EEOC Chair Naomi C. Earp. “We hope this landmark agreement with the  State of New Mexico  serves as a model for similar mediation partnerships with other state  governments.”

Expanding  mediation is a key component of the EEOC’s efforts to improve operational  efficiency and effectiveness. The EEOC  has entered into 177 national and regional Universal Agreements to Mediate  (UAMs) with private sector employers, including several Fortune 500  companies. Additionally, agency district  offices have entered into approximately 1,275 mediation agreements with  employers at the local levels within their respective jurisdictions. Under the EEOC’s National Mediation Program,  more than 110,000 charges of employment discrimination have been mediated with  about 70% being successfully resolved in an average time of 97 days – less than  half the time it takes to resolve a charge through an administrative  investigation.

“We’ve  already seen great success using Alternative Dispute Resolution here in New Mexico,” Governor Bill  Richardson said. “By expanding its use and making it the path of first choice,  we’ll continue to better serve the residents of New Mexico by making dispute resolution more  efficient and cost-effective.”

EEOC Phoenix  District Director Chester V. Bailey said, “Employers are increasingly  recognizing the many benefits of the EEOC’s voluntary mediation program. It is fair, non-adversarial, expeditious,  confidential and cost-effective. Resolving  employment discrimination complaints quickly and fairly is beneficial to both  the employer and employee. Mediation is  a win-win for both sides and brings closure to the issues in a satisfactory  manner.”

Under the  terms of the Regional Universal Agreement to Mediate, all eligible charges of  discrimination filed with the EEOC naming any department of the State of New Mexico as the  employer/respondent will be referred to the EEOC’s mediation unit, as  appropriate. The state will designate a  representative to handle all inquiries and other logistical matters in order to  facilitate a prompt scheduling of the matter for EEOC mediation.

The EEOC  enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is  available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov. Information specific to the EEOC’s mediation  program can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/mediate/index.html.