Federal Sector Equal Employment Opportunity

This rule revises the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's federal sector complaint processing regulations to implement the recommendations made by its Federal Sector Workgroup. The rule revises procedures throughout the complaint process, addressing the continuing perception of unfairness and inefficiency in the process. The Commission is requiring that agencies make available alternative dispute resolution programs, and is revising the counseling process, the bases for dismissal of complaints and the procedures for requesting a hearing. EEOC is providing administrative judges with authority to dismiss complaints and issue decisions on complaints. Agencies will have the opportunity to issue a final order stating whether they will implement the administrative judge's decision. The Commission is also revising the class complaint procedures, the appeals procedures, and the attorney's fees provisions.