EEOC and Leading Country-Themed Restaurant and Store Chain Sign Mediation Pact

TAMPA – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and leading country-themed restaurant and store chain based out of Tennessee announced the signing of a Universal Agreement to Mediate (UAM) to informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) prior to an EEOC investigation or potential litigation. The UAM applies to 56 of the corporations establishments throughout Florida.

“We commend (the company) for entering this mediation partnership, which signals its intent to address workplace disputes in a constructive manner,” said EEOC Chair Naomi C. Earp. “More employers nationwide are realizing the many benefits of EEOC mediation, which saves time, money, and is non-adversarial.”

The company’s Vice President and General Counsel, said: “We are committed to providing a fully inclusive workplace, where diversity is welcomed and everyone is treated with courtesy and respect. This innovative agreement builds upon our existing policies and procedures to effectively and fairly resolve employee concerns and demonstrates our shared goal to create a bias free workplace. We look forward to developing an even stronger relationship with the EEOC.”

Under the terms of the UAM, all eligible charges of discrimination filed with the EEOC Miami District Office in the State of Florida in which the company is named as an employer/respondent will be referred to the EEOC’s mediation unit, as appropriate. The company will designate a corporate representative to handle all inquiries and other logistical matters related to potential charges in order to facilitate a prompt scheduling of the matter for EEOC mediation.

Expanding mediation is a key component of the EEOC’s efforts to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. The EEOC has entered into 178 national and regional Universal Agreements to Mediate (UAMs) with private sector employers, including several Fortune 500 companies.

Additionally, EEOC 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% being successfully resolved in an average time of 97 days – less than half the time it takes to resolve a charge through an EEOC administrative investigation.

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the publicly held CBRL Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL). Established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn., it operates 582 company-owned locations in 41 states – including 59 stores in the State of Florida.

To find out more about anti-discrimination practices or training, please contact Berkshire Associates at 800.882.8904 or email bai@berkshireassociates.com.