Law Office of David Miklas, P.A.

Labor & Employment law - Employers only

If your Florida business has received an EEOC Charge of Discrimination in the past year, you already know how stressful and time-consuming it can be.
Even if the case was dismissed or quietly resolved, that EEOC charge is a warning sign that something in your workplace (often a manager’s decision) created legal risk.

Now is the time to take control and prevent it from happening again.

1. What an EEOC Charge Really Means

When a current or former employee files a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), they’re claiming your business violated federal discrimination laws.

The most common allegations include:

- Discrimination based on race, sex, disability, age, or religion
- Retaliation after an employee complained or requested an accommodation
- Harassment that management failed to stop

Even when you “win,” the process drains money, time, and focus; and the EEOC keeps your company on its radar for future complaints.

2. Where Most Florida Businesses Go Wrong

After an EEOC charge, many companies do what feels safe:
✅ Update policies
✅ Send a company-wide memo
✅ Maybe even have HR host a quick meeting

That’s not enough.

The real problem usually lies with manager behavior - not policies.
Most supervisors have never been trained on how to recognize or respond to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in real time.

Examples:

- A manager “handles” a harassment complaint privately instead of reporting it.
- A supervisor disciplines someone right after they complain, not realizing it looks like retaliation.
- A team lead makes a “joke” that ends up in an EEOC affidavit.

You can’t fix these issues with another memo. You fix them by training the people who make daily decisions.

3. Why Manager Training Is the Smartest Investment You Can Make

If your company has already faced an EEOC charge, manager training isn’t optional - it’s your best protection.

a. Prevent Future Claims

The EEOC and the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) both look at whether employers trained managers when deciding whether to pursue a case.

Quality training from an experienced Florida employment attorney helps you:

- Build a “good faith” defense to punitive damages
- Improve outcomes during investigations or conciliation
- Lower your overall legal exposure

b. Protect Your Company’s Reputation

EEOC investigations are public record.
Even one charge can hurt your reputation and make recruiting harder.

When you invest in real manager training, you show employees (and the government) that your company takes compliance seriously.

c. Improve Confidence and Morale

Managers who understand the rules make better, fairer decisions.
That builds trust and reduces costly turnover.

4. What Effective Manager Training Looks Like

Online compliance videos don’t change behavior.

Real training happens when managers interact with a Florida employment lawyer who has defended businesses through actual EEOC investigations.

When I conduct on-site manager training for Florida employers, I cover:

- How to spot and stop harassment early
- How to respond to complaints without retaliation
- How to document discipline and investigations
- How to maintain professionalism and civility at work
- Florida-specific compliance risks under the Florida Civil Rights Act

Each session is fast-paced, practical, and tailored to your industry - not generic “check-the-box” content.

5. Why You Should Act Now

If your business received an EEOC charge in the past year, there’s a good chance another one is around the corner unless you act now.

You don’t need another HR memo or webinar.
You need a Florida employment attorney who:

- Has represented Florida employers for over 25 years,
- Knows how the EEOC and FCHR think, and
- Can turn complex legal standards into clear, real-world steps for your managers.

6. The Bottom Line

If you’re a Florida business owner, CFO, or HR professional and your company has faced an EEOC charge, don’t just hope it won’t happen again.

The most cost-effective way to protect your business is to train your managers now - before the next complaint arrives.

You’ve already paid the price once.
Don’t pay it again.

Contact the Law Office of David Miklas, P.A. by email or call at 1-772-465-5111

 

If Your Florida Business Has Received an EEOC Charge of Discrimination in the Last Year, Do This