This is a link to the Office of Civil Rights’ (OCR) website on the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and mediation to resolve equal employment opportunity (EEO) issues. ADR is offered as an alternative method for resolving workplace disputes instead of the traditional EEO informal counseling, or formal complaint process. It is also offered as an alternative to the Department's Sexual Orientation Discrimination complaint process. 

For more information, visit OCR ADR website.

Alternative Dispute Resolution, commonly referred to as ADR, is a term which covers many alternatives to traditional methods for resolving conflicts or disputes. ADR has been used as a tool in resolving workplace disputes arising from poor communication, personality conflicts, or alleged discrimination. At the Department of Commerce, ADR is offered as an alternative method for resolving workplace disputes instead of the traditional equal employment opportunity (EEO) informal counseling, or formal complaint process. It is also offered as an alternative to the Department's Sexual Orientation Discrimination complaint process.

The Department has chosen mediation as the primary ADR method in resolving EEO disputes because it empowers the parties themselves to reach an acceptable resolution of the conflict.