On September 27, 2011, the EEOC and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. signed a National Universal Agreement to Mediate to streamline the handling of employment discrimination claims.
This agreement allows the organizations to informally resolve any workplace issues through alternative dispute resolution rather than the formal EEOC investigation process.
There are over 200 national and regional private-sector organizations that have already made similar arrangements with the EEOC.
The director of the EEOC’s Office of Field Programs calls this situation a “Classic win-win,” continuing to explain that nationwide mediation agreements are non-adversarial and efficient ways to handle discrimination charges. The use of these agreements allows the EEOC to act as a mediator and advisor.
If any charges of discrimination are brought against Cracker Barrel, they will be handled directly by the EEOC’s mediation department.