If you are a victim of discrimination in the workplace, you want to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
For New Mexico workers, the answer to the question, “Where is the EEOC office near me,” is Albuquerque. During normal times, you can schedule an interview with a representative with the EEOC by visiting the Albuquerque office.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily closed many federal buildings, which means you should visit the EEOC online portal to schedule a telephone interview.
New Mexico workers that are approaching the deadline for filing a discrimination claim can call the toll-free number at 800-669-4000 to schedule a phone interview with a representative from the New Mexico EEOC office.
What Does the EEOC Do?
Formed a year after the enactment of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964, the EEOC enforces every federally passed discrimination law.
The EEOC makes sure employers in the United States do not discriminate based on a number of factors that include race, gender, disability, and national origin. EEOC enforcement guidelines apply to both employees and job applicants, as well as to employers that have at least 15 workers.
One of the most common questions asked to EEOC a representative is “How many days do you have to contact the EEOC office.”
The answer is 180 calendar days after the last act of discrimination a worker faced in the workplace. EEOC guidelines require a different deadline date for American workers that claim age discrimination.
Contact an EEOC representative to learn more about the contact deadline for age discrimination in the workplace. In some cases, workers can extend the 180-day deadline to 300 days.
Where to File an EEOC Claim
Albuquerque Area Office
- 505 Marquette Avenue, NW, Suite 900
- Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Phone: 800-669-4000
- Director: Christopher Green
- Regional Attorney: Mary Jo O'Neill
New Mexico Employment Laws
The New Mexico Human Rights Bureau enforces the provisions of the Human Rights Act of 1969, which bans discrimination and all forms of employer retaliation in the workplace.
An information-sharing arrangement with the EEOC allows the New Mexico Human Rights Bureau to enforce provisions of federal discrimination statutes. New Mexico law prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on criteria like sex, color, ancestry, and national origin.
In New Mexico, harassment is defined as committing acts that intend to abuse, alarm, or terrorize another individual. Harassing acts must cause a reasonable person to endure significant emotional duress in the workplace.
New Mexico law can penalize an employer for committing acts of harassment in the workplace by handing down a misdemeanor sentence. To file an EEOC claim in New Mexico for harassment, works should complete a form offered by the Human Rights Bureau.
Next Steps to Take
Workplace discrimination can leave a negative impression on a worker for years to come. Do not allow your employer to get away with discriminatory acts in the workplace by contacting an employment lawyer.
Your attorney can help you gather and organize the evidence you need to submit a convincing claim either to the EEOC or the New Mexico Human Rights Bureau.
Witness accounts given to your attorney can collaborate your claim, but the key to winning a discrimination claim is to submit compelling evidence. Schedule a free case evaluation today with a discrimination attorney to discuss your legal options.