If you want to file a discrimination claim against your Oregon employer, you need to contact the Seattle Field Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Oregon does not have an EEOC office located in the state. If you live in Oregon, you need the answer to the question, “How do I contact the EEOC.”
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, you cannot schedule an interview by walking into the Seattle Field Office. Instead, you should access the convenient online portal set up by the EEOC.
The online portal includes a section where you can schedule a telephone interview to discuss your workplace discrimination case. If your claim is close to the filing deadline, call 1-800-669-4000 to schedule a phone interview with a representative from the EEOC.
What Does the EEOC Do?
Formed one year after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the EEOC enforces federal discrimination in the workplace laws. Employers cannot discriminate based on several criteria, including age, disability, and national origin.
Federal discrimination law protects both employees and job applicants. Employers that have at least 15 employees must abide by the provisions written into the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
How many days do you have to contact the Seattle EEOC field Office? You have 180 calendar days since the last act of workplace discrimination to file a claim against your employer.
The last act of discrimination should be documented by your Oregon employment attorney. If Oregon workplace discrimination law protects the same classes as protected by the EEOC, then you have 300 days to file a discrimination claim.
Where to File an EEOC Claim in Oregon
- Seattle Field Office
- Federal Office Building
- 909 First Avenue, Suite 400
- Seattle, WA 98104
- Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
- Phone: 1-800-669-4000
- Director: Nancy Sienko
- Regional Attorney: Roberta Steele
Oregon Employment Laws
Oregon is known to have some of the most worker-friendly employment laws in the United States. Oregon employers cannot discriminate against a worker for any of the following reasons.
- Age
- Sex
- Race
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- National Origin
- Religion
- Disability
- Marital status
- Military status
For example, an employer cannot demote a worker because of race or terminate an employee because of gender identity.
Oregon discrimination statutes include a provision that makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against employees that report violations of discrimination laws.
A recently passed Oregon law requires employers to implement anti-harassment policies that become part of every employee’s handbook.
The new law also prohibits using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence workers that want to report harassment and/or discrimination in the workplace.
Oregon employment law includes stiff penalties for employers that illegally withhold employee wages. When an employer receives a formal notice concerning an employee’s request for unpaid wages, the employer can either dispute the claim or pay the employee the full amount of back pay.
Next Steps to Take
Before you visit the Oregon EEOC office located in Seattle, you should meet with an experienced employment lawyer. An attorney can give you advice on how to proceed with your discrimination claim.
In addition to contacting the EEOC office in Seattle to schedule an interview, your lawyer might recommend filing a civil lawsuit against your employer that seeks monetary damages.
Filing a civil lawsuit means you have to gather and organize convincing evidence that includes documents that describe the type of discrimination, as well as witness accounts that corroborate your claim.
