Regardless of how long you have been in business, accusations of discrimination are hurtful and, potentially, extremely expensive, regardless of whether there is any truth to the allegations.
This is because central Pennsylvania area (Lancaster County, York County, etc.) discrimination litigation can last years and costs thousands, even hundreds of thousands if you get wrapped up in particularly complicated litigation. And, even if you eventually win your lawsuit, generally, there is no way to recoup those costs. But, there is a better way for our Lebanon County readers.
A successful and quick alternative
What if there were a process that avoided the litigation? What if that process had over a 70% success rate? And, what if the typical resolution from that process included zero monetary relief? Sounds pretty good, right? This is all true of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) mediation process.
Alternative Dispute Resolution processes
The EEOC mediation process is one version of ADR that has become popular over the last decade or so with Cumberland County litigants at the EEOC. In that ADR process, an EEOC-trained mediator acts as a third-party neutral to facilitate a resolution to the discrimination charge. They do not act as a judge or an arbitrator. Instead, their job is to find a solution.
No risk service
The EEOC mediation process does not cost either Hershey, Pennsylvania, party a penny, and it is completely voluntary. In addition, it is confidential and nothing that occurs in the process can be used in any subsequent EEOC or judicial litigation.
This is why, unless the case is a particularly egregious case, employers and employees should, generally, at least try it. For most Dauphin County parties, it is a no-risk service that could solve the dispute in hours, instead of years of protracted and contentious litigation.