Michigan has one EEOC office, which is the field office located in Detroit.
Where you file an employment discrimination claim depends on the location of your employer. All Michigan residents must file claims at the Detroit Field Office.
However, until the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, employees must file all employment discrimination claims by calling the field office in Detroit. If you schedule an in-person interview, you should contact a representative at the EEOC field office to confirm the interview has changed to over the phone.
How do you contact the EEOC to schedule a phone interview? The answer is by accessing the EEOC Public Portal.
If the deadline for filing an employment discrimination claim is upcoming in a few weeks, call 1-800-669-4000 to schedule a phone interview. Failing to meet the EEOC-mandated deadline can mean you lose the chance to file a claim.
What Does the EEOC Do?
As part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulates and enforces every employment discrimination law enacted by the United States Congress.
Federal statutes forbid discrimination in the workplace for factors that include sexual orientation, national origin, and religion.
Most employers that have at least 15 employees must follow the anti-discrimination guidelines established by the EEOC. Enforcing federal discrimination law starts with the job application process and finishes with termination policies.
Workers that want to file a claim against their employers should know the answer to “How many days do you have to contact the EEOC office.”
You have 180 calendar days to contact the EEOC, and the clock starts ticking on the day you inform your employer that you have a formal discrimination complaint.
Since Michigan prohibits the same types of discrimination as what federal discrimination laws prohibit, then you might qualify for an extension to 300 calendar days.
Where to File an EEOC Claim in Michigan
- Patrick V. McNamara Building
- 477 Michigan Avenue Room 865
- Detroit, MI 48226
- Office Hours: M-F 8:30 AM-3:30 PM
- Phone: (313) 226-4600
- Director: Linda Sankovich
- Regional Attorney: Kenneth Bird
Michigan Employment Laws
Federal law requires states to enforce discrimination laws based on factors like age, race, and gender. Michigan employment discrimination law follows federal anti-discrimination guidelines, as well as other factors that include height, weight, HIV status, and marital status.
Several cities in Michigan have passed ordinances that provide additional protections. Michigan law declares the state’s discrimination law cover employees that have a minimum of one worker on the payroll.
According to the Michigan Civil Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is covered by unlawful sex discrimination. Sexual harassment includes “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.”
In August of 2019, the Michigan House of Representatives announced a legislative package of nine bills that created harsher civil a criminal penalties for employers that illegally withhold money from employees.
If you suspect your employer of wage theft, speak with an employment attorney to determine the best course of legal action.
Working with a Michigan Employment Attorney
An employment lawyer can help you collect and organize the evidence you need to file a complaint with the EEOC. You benefit from an attorney’s tips on how to interview with the EEOC over the phone. Your employment attorney also ensures you contact the EEOC before the deadline.
