After visiting the EEOC website and reading its mission statement, you might feel heartened and even empowered when filing a charge of discrimination with this federal agency. Its stated mission is “to prevent and remedy unlawful employment discrimination and to advance equal opportunity for all in the workplace.” You’re the victim of discrimination and this agency is there to help right? For most people who file charges, the experience at the EEOC is often extremely frustrating and disappointing. On this episode of the Walking Papers podcast, Attorney Josh Van Kampen gives listeners a glimpse under the hood of the lifecycle of an EEOC charge. With twenty years experience representing both employers and employees before the EEOC, Josh shares his unvarnished take on what listeners should expect in reality when they file an EEOC charge. He takes listeners through the nuts and bolts of this administrative process, including how and when to file an EEOC charge, how the EEOC “investigates”, what you can do to improve your chances at the EEOC, and what happens when the EEOC concludes its investigation. Bottom line, the EEOC investigator will not do much to help you or investigate, which is why being represented by counsel is so important as you navigate through this flawed process.