Tennessee’s only EEOC area office is in Nashville. The District Office is in Memphis. Use the nearest EEOC office to where you are located to make an inquiry or report an infringement of federal anti-discrimination law.
In-office visits are not currently available because of Covid-19 restrictions, but you can still use the Public Portal to make an inquiry. Scheduling an intake appointment and conducting an interview with an EEOC staff member can be done by telephone during office hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.)
The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that oversees all federal anti-discrimination laws as they apply to employment. These laws include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The EEOC investigates and acts on legitimate claims by employees who work for employers with 15 or more employees.
Employees who wish to make a complaint or file a claim but work in smaller workplaces may be able to use a state fair employment practices agency (FEPA). In Tennessee this would be the Tennessee Human Rights Commission which has an office in Nashville.
Tennessee law protects employees from discrimination at work because they belong to a protected class. A complaint can be filed against an employer if discrimination is experienced in a similar way as can be done with the EEOC.
You have 300 days from the date an incident of discrimination took place to file a complaint with the EEOC in Tennessee. If you work in a smaller workplace (fewer than 15 employees) the Tennessee Human Rights Commission imposes a 180 day limit from the date of the discriminatory act to file a claim of discrimination.
EEOC Office Information in Tennessee
Location of the EEOC’s Nashville Field Office
220 Athens Way
Suite 350
Nashville, TN 37228-9940
Phone: 1-800-669-4000
Fax: 615-736-2107
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
Director: Deborah Walker
Regional Attorney: Faye Williams
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday for telephone contact only. No walk-ins are possible at the moment because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Location of the EEOC’s Memphis District Office
1407 Union Avenue, 9th floor
Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: 1-800-669-4000
Fax: 901-544-0111
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
Director: Delner Franklin-Thomas
Regional Attorney: Faye Williams
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday for telephone contact only. No walk-ins are possible at the moment because of Covid-19 restrictions.
State Employment Laws
Tennessee has similar laws to the federal government regarding discrimination at work, particularly the Tennessee Human Rights Act and the Tennessee Disability Act. Discrimination at work because of an employee’s age, gender, sexual orientation, color, religion, ethnicity or disability is illegal.
Any type of sexual harassment at work, such as unsolicited emails, phone calls, physical contact, innuendo, etc., is regarded as a form of sex discrimination and is also illegal. Employees, especially those who work in smaller workplaces, can file a charge of discrimination with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. The procedure is similar to that used by the EEOC. Any cases that are outside the jurisdiction of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission will be turned over to the EEOC.
Help With Your Claim
It can be intimidating going through the process of filing a charge of discrimination against your employer. It can help to have an employment law attorney work with you through this process. The attorney knows the state and federal laws thoroughly and can help you prepare your case against your employer.
The EEOC, or state FEPA, will normally attempt to investigate the complaint. If the EEOC then decides you have grounds to file a lawsuit against your employer in a civil court, the attorney can help prepare a convincing case on your behalf.
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