The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against an employee due to their race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, and age in any area of employment. The majority of employers with at least 15 employees are covered by federal anti-discrimination laws that are the responsibility of the EEOC to enforce, although it is 20 employees in age discrimination cases. Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered. The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, wrongful termination, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.
What the EEOC Does
The EEOC has the authority to investigate discrimination charges against employers who are covered by the law. If it finds that discrimination has taken place, it will try to settle the charge. If it isn’t successful, it can file a lawsuit on behalf of the affected employee so that it protects individual rights. When deciding to file a lawsuit, the EEOC evaluates a few factors like the strength of the evidence provided and how filing a lawsuit will help to prevent future discrimination cases.
Grounds of Discrimination
The different grounds of discrimination that you can file a complaint of discrimination due to membership of a particular class including the following:
- age
- sexual orientation,
- gender identity
- sexual harassment
- gender
- retaliation
- religion
- race/color
- pregnancy
- national origin
- harassment
- genetic information
- equal pay/compensation
- disability
How to File a Complaint with the EEOC
If you believe that you have suffered discrimination at work, you should be able to file a Charge of Discrimination. This is a signed statement stating that an employer, union or labor organization has imposed employment discrimination and is requesting that the EEOC takes action against this employer. The type of discrimination could be related to any employee matter such as promotion, wage differentials, leave entitlements and dress code.
How Long it Takes the EEOC
How long the investigation into a case of discrimination takes depends on several factors, including the amount of information required and analyzed. On average, it takes around 10 months to investigate a charge. If it can be solved through mediation it usually takes less than 3 months.
What You Need to File With the EEOC
- Your name, address, email, and phone number.
- The name, address, email, and phone number of the employer (or employment agency or union) you want to file your charge against.
- The number of employees employed at your workplace.
- A short description of the discriminatory actions for example, you were fired, demoted or harassed.
- The date of the discrimination.
- Why you think you suffered discrimination such as due to your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or retaliation.
- Your signature.
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