EEOC Onsite Inspections: How to be Prepared after a Charge is Filed

With tens of thousands of EEOC Charges filed each year, employers can expect that even meritless claims will demand significant time and resources. The EEOC’s investigative authority—including the power to compel on-site inspections—has expanded in practice, and courts have shown a willingness to enforce agency subpoenas. Recent case law underscores that employers should proceed cautiously when opposing EEOC inspection requests and instead focus on timely, strategic responses, thorough internal investigations, and careful preparation to minimize disruption and potential exposure.