EEOC Doesn’t Need Individual Charge to Launch Probe

Carlton Fields labor and employment attorney and Core Triangle Consulting Vice President Rae Vann authored a HR Daily Advisor article titled, “EEOC Doesn’t Need Individual Charge to Launch Probe,” about the EEOC’s recent reminder of its ability to investigate a company without ever receiving a charge from an employee.

The EEOC is authorized to issue a “commissioner charge” on its own behalf if it thinks an employer is engaging in discriminatory employment practices that violate the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the employment provisions of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). The resulting probe can be complex and costly to respond to.

Vann shares several strategies to prevent this type of investigation, including training talent acquisition staff to avoid bias mistakes and missteps, making managers responsible for staff following the rules, and regularly reviewing policies and procedures.

Read the article.

©2026 Carlton Fields, P.A. Carlton Fields practices law in California through Carlton Fields, LLP. Carlton Fields publications should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information and educational purposes only, and should not be relied on as if it were advice about a particular fact situation. The distribution of this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship with Carlton Fields. This publication may not be quoted or referred to in any other publication or proceeding without the prior written consent of the firm, to be given or withheld at our discretion. To request reprint permission for any of our publications, please use our Contact Us form via the link below. The views set forth herein are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the firm. This site may contain hypertext links to information created and maintained by other entities. Carlton Fields does not control or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this outside information, nor is the inclusion of a link to be intended as an endorsement of those outside sites.