by Stephen D. Hans | Oct 10, 2023 | United States EEOC in a Workplace Discrimination Claim
The Involvement of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Protecting Your Rights at Work When you have been treated differently or unfairly at work because of your race, gender, age, religious beliefs, disability or membership in any other state or federally protected class, you have an ultimate right to legal redress. Filing a workplace discrimination claim, however, is a process, a bit more complicated than simply hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit. Before you can bring any discrimination claim in a federal court of law, you must first take your concerns to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). What Is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, is an independent federal agency tasked with enforcing federal laws governing discriminatory actions by employers. Most employers who have 15 or more employees are subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. What Is the Role of the EEOC in a Workplace Discrimination Claim? To initiate any type of workplace discrimination claim, you must first file a complaint with your local EEOC office. You do not need an attorney to do this, but will typically find the process complex and intimidating to navigate without qualified legal counsel. You can make your initial contact with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in a number of ways, including by phone, in person, by email or with a letter. In most employment situations, you must report the discrimination to the EEOC within 180 days of your discovery of such allegedly wrongful conduct. This time frame may, however, be different if your employment at the...
