Alaska’s nearest EEOC Field Office is in Seattle, Washington. This may seem far away, but as in-office visits are not permissible at the moment because of the pandemic, the office can still be contacted by phone or email for advice. An intake appointment can also still be scheduled through the online Public Portal and interviews made by telephone.
The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that oversees all federal anti-discrimination laws as they apply to employment. These laws include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The EEOC investigates and acts on legitimate claims by employees who work for employers with 15 or more employees.
Employees who wish to make a complaint or file a claim but work in smaller workplaces may be able to use a state fair employment practices agency (FEPA). In Alaska this might be the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, or the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission. Indigenous Alaskans may also be able to use a Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) to file a charge of discrimination at work.
You have 300 days from the date an incident of discrimination took place to file a complaint with the EEOC in Alaska. If you work in a smaller workplace (fewer than 15 employees) the state agencies impose a 180 day limit (Alaska State Commission for Human Rights) or a 120 day limit (Anchorage Equal Rights Commission) to file a claim of discrimination.
EEOC Field Office Information for Alaska
There is no EEOC office in Alaska. Use the Seattle, Washington, Field Office for all inquiries and to file a charge of discrimination.
Location of EEOC’s Seattle Field Office
Federal Office Building
909 First Avenue
Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104-1061
Phone: 1-800-669-4000
Fax: 206-220-6911
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
Director: Nancy Sienko
Regional Attorney: Roberta Steele
Office Hours: 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday for telephone contact only. The Seattle EEOC office is currently not available for in-office visits due toCovid-19 restrictions.
State Employment Laws:
Alaska has similar laws to the federal government regarding discrimination at work. Discrimination at work because of an employee’s age, gender, sexual orientation, color, religion, ethnicity or disability is illegal.
Any type of sexual harassment at work, such as unsolicited emails, phone calls, physical contact, innuendo, etc., is regarded as a form of sex discrimination and is also illegal. Employees, especially those who work in smaller workplaces, can file a charge of discrimination with the appropriate Alaska state agency (FEPA or TERO) if they experience being discriminated against.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
It can be intimidating going through the process of filing a charge of discrimination against your employer. It can help to have an employment law attorney work with you through this process. The attorney knows the state and federal laws thoroughly and can help you prepare your case against your employer.
The EEOC, or state FEPA, will normally attempt to investigate the complaint. If the EEOC then decides you have grounds to file a lawsuit against your employer in a civil court, the attorney can help prepare a convincing case on your behalf.
