The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) adjusted to the coronavirus (COVID) pandemic by converting to holding mediations via video conference. This was initially done under a six-month pilot program that started in July 2020. The EEOC just announced the extension of the use of video conferences for mediation now that the pilot has concluded.
I have done some EEOC private sector mediations via video since the start of the pandemic. They are effective. I also perform federal sector EEOC mediations/case settlement conferences (for federal employees who bring complaints against the agencies they work for), but most of those are done via audio conference call. In-person mediations are best, but video conference mediations are second best.
EEOC private sector mediations result in settlements about 70% of the time. The types of results can vary between money, reinstatement, change in working conditions, neutral reference, and more. It is very case-specific. EEOC mediation (and employment mediation in general) is very effective in helping the parties resolve employment disputes in a manner that satisfies the needs of the parties.
Mediation can also be used prior to filing a charge with the EEOC or state courts. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me.