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EEOC Implements Nationwide Procedures for Releasing Respondent Position Statements and Obtaining Responses from Charging Parties

EEOC has implemented nationwide procedures that provide for the release of Respondent position statements and non-confidential attachments to a Charging Party or her representative upon request during the investigation of her charge of discrimination.

These procedures apply to all EEOC requests for position statements made to Respondents on or after January 1, 2016.

The new procedures provide for a consistent approach to be followed in all of EEOC's offices, which enhances service to the public. The procedures will also provide EEOC with better information from the parties to strengthen our investigations.

Background on Position Statements

During the investigation of a charge, EEOC may request that the Respondent employer submit a position statement and documents supporting its position. EEOC's resource guide for Respondents, "Effective Position Statements," advises Respondents to focus their position statements on the facts relevant to the charge of discrimination and to identify the specific documents and evidence supporting its position.  A position statement focused on the allegations of the charge helps EEOC accelerate the investigation and tailor its requests for additional information.

A Respondent generally has 30 days to gather the information requested and to submit its position statement and attachments to the EEOC. If the Respondent relies on confidential information in its position statement, it should provide such information in separately labeled attachments. With EEOC's new Digital Charge System, Respondents can upload their position statement and attachments into the digital charge file rather than faxing or mailing the documents.

After EEOC reviews the Respondent's position statement and attachments on a specific charge, EEOC staff may redact confidential information as necessary prior to releasing the information to a Charging Party or her representative.

EEOC will provide the Respondent's position statement and non-confidential attachments to Charging Parties upon request and provide them an opportunity to respond within 20 days. The Charging Party's response will not be provided to Respondent during the investigation.

For more information about Respondent Position Statements, see:

For more information about requests for disclosure of information in a charge file after the investigation is closed, see EEOC's Freedom of Information Act page.