eeocseal.jpgBy Christopher DeGroff and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

After much anticipation, heated debate, and numerous invitations for public comment on the EEOC’s Strategic Enforcement Plan, on February 20, 2013, the EEOC provided an update on its implementation of the Strategic Plan. Approved on December 18, 2012, the Strategic Plan will function as the blueprint for the Commission’s enforcement activity for

Continue Reading “The EEOC Talks” – Perspectives From The Commission’s Strategic Enforcement Plan Meeting

eeocseal.jpgBy Christopher DeGroff and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

We have frequently opined to readers of The Workplace Class Action Blog that litigating against the EEOC is, in a word, different. The EEOC arguably has an agenda that every U.S. employer shares:  striving for a discrimination-free workplace. But the EEOC is also a political entity, and with that reality comes

Continue Reading Budget Woes May Significantly Impact EEOC – But Should Employers Worry Too?

5903-X31-(8).jpgBy Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

The keynote speaker at today’s program on Employment Practices Liability Insurance sponsored by the American Conference Institute was Constance Barker, one of the Commissioners of the EEOC. We co-chaired the program and spoke on workplace class actions and EEOC litigation, and Commissioner Barker presented her thoughts in the keynote address on what 2013 has

Continue Reading “The EEOC Talks” – Perspectives From Today’s ACI Program

2013CAR_small.jpgBy Lorie Almon, Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., and Ian Morrison

Back by popular demand, our Annual Workplace Class Action Report Webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27, 2013 – click here to register and attend.

The past twelve months represented a landmark year for complex employment-related disputes and portends an array of developing trends for employers to monitor

Continue Reading Ninth Annual Workplace Class Action Report Webinar: Looking Back At Key Developments Of 2012 And What Lies Ahead In 2013

EEOC_FrontCover_Thumb resized.jpgBy Christopher DeGroff and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

Calling all loyal readers of our blog – our annual EEOC litigation study is here: the launch of our book entitled EEOC-Initiated Litigation: Case Law Developments In 2012 And Trends To Watch For In 2013.

This publication is what we hope you will agree is a definitive source of information that

Continue Reading The Top 5 Most Intriguing Decisions In EEOC Cases Of 2012

eeocseal.jpgBy Christopher DeGroff, Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. and Julie G. Yap

After much anticipation, heated debate, and numerous invitations for public comment, today the EEOC announced that it approved its Strategic Enforcement Plan for FY 2013-2016. As we previously reported, the EEOC’s SEP will function as the blueprint for the Commission’s enforcement activity for the next

Continue Reading Final EEOC Strategic Enforcement Plan Approved: A New Vision Or Business As Usual?

EEOC seal.pngBy: Christopher DeGroff, Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., and Julie G. Yap

Today the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission published its long awaited FY 2012 Performance and Accountability Report. The Report was posted on-line at the EEOC’s website along with a press release. The EEOC’s fiscal year ends on September 30th each year, and the Report details activities from

Continue Reading The EEOC’s FY2012 Numbers Released: Commission Housecleaning Sets The Stage For A Focused And Aggressive 2013

section_social_media_marketing.pngBy Christopher DeGroff and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

Social media has become an integral part of modern society. Legal issues involving social media and discovery are complex, and evolving. On social media websites, people share information and pictures with friends, family, and even the unknown. Often, employees will communicate with other co-workers on an online forum and discuss their jobs. In EEOC v.

Continue Reading Testing The Social Media Waters – Court Requires The EEOC To Produce Facebook Postings

edpa.gifBy Christopher DeGroff and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

It is a common occurrence when litigating against the EEOC to face controversies concerning the scope of discovery in administrative investigations. After all, discovery can help the EEOC put together the building blocks of its case. Increasingly, the Commission resorts to its subpoena power to launch broad-scale discovery in its administrative investigations.

Continue Reading Court Reinforces The EEOC’s Subpoena Power, But Prohibits The Agency From Disclosing Confidential Information

US_Courts-MD%20District.jpgBy Rebecca Bjork and Gerald L. Maatman, Jr.

Although claims against pension plans are unique and involve challenging issues, the EEOC has shown no reluctance in filing systemic suits alleging that provisions in public employers’ retirement plans are discriminatory. The most recent activity in the EEOC’s series of systemic suits involves EEOC v. Baltimore County, et al., No. 07-CV-2500 (D.

Continue Reading District Court Grants The EEOC Summary Judgment In Its Age Discrimination Claim Against Baltimore County’s Pension Plan