Greater Cooperation between the EEOC and DOL means More Charges for Employers

The EEOC and Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will allow greater cooperation between the agencies. Touted as a move that will allow “greater coordination between the agencies through information sharing, joint investigations, training, and outreach” the arrangement means that employers responding to an EEOC charge may also face a DOL wage audit based on the same complaint.

The MOU makes it even more important for employers to carefully consider the data provided and arguments made in response to EEOC charges or DOL investigations. The MOU will undoubtedly result in “enhanced law enforcement” and more charges as employees will no longer need to bring a complaint to both agencies to have their grievances evaluated under both Title VII and the FLSA.