Mediation and ADR
Conciliation
In federal employment discrimination cases, the EEOC's informal effort to end an unlawful practice through conference, conciliation and persuasion after it finds reasonable cause to believe a charge is true.[1]
In more detail
Conciliation comes later than EEOC mediation: mediation is offered early, before an investigation, while conciliation follows a cause finding.[1][2] Title VII bars the EEOC from making public what is said in these informal efforts without the parties' written consent.[1] Outside employment law, some states use "conciliation" for other court programs.
Varies by state
This entry describes federal employment law; state agencies and courts use the word for their own processes. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Charge of discriminationA signed statement filed with the U.S.
- EEOC mediationA free, voluntary program in which a trained, neutral mediator helps an employee and employer try to resolve a charge of discrimination filed with the U.S.
- MediationA process in which a neutral mediator helps the parties communicate and negotiate so they can reach their own voluntary agreement.
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Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
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Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Conciliation: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/conciliation/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.