Because there is not an EEOC office located in Montana, workers living in the state have to contact the Seattle Field Office to submit a claim of discrimination in the workplace.
The EEOC requires American employees to file discrimination claims at the EEOC office that is closest to where their employers operate.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still a threat in the United States, the EEOC has closed all of its offices in each of the 50 states.
Until further notice, any worker that wants to file a discrimination claim should contact the EEOC at its public portal to schedule a telephone interview.
The online contact page gives workers a short form to submit that initiates the phone interview process. Workers that have a deadline approaching can speed up the process by calling 1-800-669-4000.
What Does the EEOC Do?
Created to enforce and regulate anti-discrimination laws at the federal level, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has offices located throughout the United States.
The federal agency enforces laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against workers based on factors such as race, disability, and sexual orientation.
EEOC anti-discrimination guidelines cover every facet of a business operation, from the hiring process to the reasons why a business terminated an employee.
The key to getting a discrimination complaint heard by the EEOC is knowing the answer to the question, “How many days do you have to contact an EEOC office.”
Montana workers have 180 calendar days to contact the Seattle Field Office to schedule an interview. The 180-day deadline starts on the day when a worker experienced the first act of discrimination committed by an employer.
EEOC rules dictate that the deadline for contacting the agency about an age discrimination claim differs from the 180-day standard established for other types of discrimination.
How Do I Contact EEOC?
Seattle Field Office
- Federal Office Building
- 909 First Avenue, Suite 400
- Seattle, WA 98104-1061
- Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
- Phone: (206) 220-6884
- Director: Nancy Sienko
- Regional Attorney: Roberta Steele
Montana Employment Laws
According to the Montana Human Rights Act, employers cannot discriminate against workers for the same reasons as the reasons enforced by the EEOC.
However, Montana has expanded worker protection by including marital status and political beliefs on the list of anti-discrimination factors.
Although federal law limits age discrimination claims to workers that are 40 years of age and older, Montana allows a worker of any age to file a discrimination claim against an employer.
Montana workers can file a discrimination claim with the Human Rights Bureau (HRB). The Montana HRB outlaws discrimination in the workplace because of sex-related factors, which means employers cannot sexually harass workers.
The prohibition of sexual harassment applies to employers of all sizes. Montana’s Compliance and Investigations Bureau enforces every provision of the state’s Wage Payment Act, which makes it illegal for employers to steal the wages of workers.
State law requires employers to compensate workers full wages according to a regularly scheduled pay period.
How to Fight Discrimination in the Workplace
Although Montana law provides workers with protections against discrimination in the workplace, some employers continue to engage in discriminatory activities.
If you have a strong enough case to file a discrimination claim against your employer, the first thing for you to do is contact an employment attorney.
Your lawyer can help you prepare for the phone interview with the EEOC, as well as ensure you collect and organize the evidence required to get the justice you deserve.
