There is no Idaho EEOC office, so you would have to file your claim with the office in Seattle, Washington. Please note that due to the present health situation, the EEOC’s field offices have temporarily stopped holding in-person interviews, but you can contact your local EEOC office or use the EEOC Online Portal to schedule a telephone appointment.
What Does the EEOC Do?
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, investigates complaints of job discrimination based on protected attributes like sex, age, race, religion, and disability. It applies to all U.S. employers with at least 15 employees (20 employees in age discrimination cases) as well as most employment agencies and labor unions. When necessary, it has the authority to file a lawsuit against an employer or entity.
How Do You Contact the EEOC?
If you need to file a discrimination claim in Idaho, you can contact the EEOC office near you in the following ways:
- Online at the EEOC Public Portal
- In person at your nearest EEOC office
- By phone at 1-800-669-4000
- Sending a letter to your closest EEOC office
EEOC Office Information In Idaho
Seattle Field Office
Federal Office Building
909 First Avenue, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104-1061
Office Hours: M-F 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Director: Nancy Sienko
Regional Attorney: Robert Steele
How Many Days Do You Have to Contact the EEOC Office?
In Idaho, you have up to 300 calendar days to file a charge.
Idaho State Employment Laws
The Idaho Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Sexual harassment is treated as a type of sex discrimination. It applies to all public and private employers with at least five employees.
Examples of prohibited acts include:
- Refusing or failing to hire an individual or provide them with access to training opportunities based on a protected characteristic
- Publishing an employment ad or notice indicating any form of preference or discrimination based on religion, sex, national origin, or age unless it is a bona fide employment qualification
- Retaliate or discriminate against someone who has opposed acts of employment discrimination or taken action by filing a claim or assisting in an investigation
Although Idaho does not have any laws specifically addressing wage theft, the Idaho Human Rights Act makes it unlawful to reduce the wages of any employee in order to comply with the Act’s requirements.
What to Do Next
When you’ve been subjected to employment discrimination, you can also file a claim with an Idaho Fair Employment Practice Agency (FEPA) and Tribal Employment Rights Office. An attorney can advise you on your options when you pursue your EEOC case.
Employment discrimination is a complicated legal area with detailed procedural requirements and strict timelines. If you have concerns or issues regarding your Idaho employer, an employment law attorney can evaluate whether you have a claim, guide you through the process as it unfolds, and may help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.
