Practice Note
- See an attorney about your case!
Filing a Charge
Federal Employees: Please see our fact sheet on Federal
Sector Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint Processing.
If you believe you have been discriminated against by an employer,
labor union or employment agency when applying for a job or while on the
job because of your race, color, sex, religion,
national origin, age, or disability, or believe
that you have been discriminated against because of opposing a
prohibited practice or participating in an equal employment opportunity
matter, you should consult an
attorney and you may file a charge of discrimination with the
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Charges may be filed in person, by mail or by telephone by contacting
the nearest EEOC
office. If there is not an EEOC
office in the immediate area, call toll free 800-669-4000 or
800-669-6820 (TDD)
for more information. To avoid delay, call or write beforehand if you
need special assistance, such as an interpreter, to file a charge.
There are strict time frames in which charges of employment
discrimination must be filed. To preserve the ability of EEOC
to act on your behalf and to protect your right to file a private
lawsuit, should you ultimately need to, adhere to the following
guidelines when filing a charge.
Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act (Title VII) charges must be filed with EEOC
within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act. However, in states or
localities where there is an antidiscrimination law and an agency
authorized to grant or seek relief, a charge must be presented to that
state or local agency. Furthermore, in such jurisdictions, you may file
charges with EEOC
within 300 days of the discriminatory act, or 30 days after receiving
notice that the state or local agency has terminated its processing of
the charge, whichever is earlier. It is best to contact EEOC
promptly when discrimination is suspected. When charges or complaints
are filed beyond these time frames, you may not be able to obtain any
remedy.
Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)
- The time requirements for filing a charge are the same as those for
Title VII charges.
Age Discrimination
in Employment Act (ADEA)
- The time requirements for filing a charge are the same as those for
Title VII and the ADA.
Equal Pay Act (EPA)
- Individuals are not required to file an EPA
charge with EEOC
before filing a private lawsuit. However, charges may be filed with EEOC
and some cases of wage discrimination also may be violations of Title
VII. If an EPA charge is filed
with EEOC,
the procedure for filing is the same as for charges brought under Title
VII. However, the time limits for filing in court are different under
the EPA, thus, it is advisable
to file a charge as soon as you become aware the EPA
may have been violated.
For more detailed information, please
contact an attorney!
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