New Mexico Becomes First State to Enter Mediation Partnership with EEOC 

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the State of New Mexico have signed a Regional Universal Agreement to Mediate (RUAM) to informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the federal agency announced October 31, 2008. The new partnership marks the first time the EEOC has entered into a universal mediation agreement with a state government.

Under the terms of the RUAM, 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.

“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 federal agency’s efforts to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. The EEOC has entered into 177 national and regional 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 percent 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.”

“Employers are increasingly recognizing the many benefits of the EEOC’s voluntary mediation program,” EEOC Phoenix District Director Chester V. Bailey pointed out. “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.”

Reprinted with permission. © CCH
(Submitted Nov. 2008)

New Mexico Becomes First State to Enter Mediation Partnership with EEOC  The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the State of New Mexico have signed a Regional Universal Agreement to Mediate (RUAM) to informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative