Washington has only one EEOC Field Office, which is in Seattle. In office visits are not permissible at the moment because of the pandemic, but either the area office or district office may still be contacted by phone or email for advice.
An intake appointment can also still be scheduled through the online Public Portal and interviews made by telephone.
The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that manages all federal anti-discrimination laws which apply to employment.
These laws include, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1967and Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The EEOC scrutinizes and acts on justifiable claims by employees who work for employers with 15 or more employees.
An Employee who would like to submit a complaint or file a claim but works in a smaller workplace might be able to use a state fair employment practices agency (FEPA) or a Tribal Equal Rights Office (TERO).
In Washington there are three FEPAs. These are the Tacoma Human Rights & Human Services Department, the Seattle Office for Civil Rights and the Washington State Human Rights Commission.
Because of the number of indigenous tribes in Washington there are also several TEROs working in the interests of their community.
Washington law protects employees from discrimination when at work because they belong to a protected class. A complaint may be filed against an employer if discrimination is experienced in a similar way as can be done with the EEOC.
You are given 300 days from the date the discrimination occurred to file a complaint with the EEOC in Washington.
If you work in a smaller workplace (fewer than 15 employees) the Washington state government imposes a 180 day time limit from the date of the discriminatory act to file a claim of discrimination.
EEOC Office Information in Washington
- Federal Office Building
- 909 First Avenue
- Suite 400
- Seattle, WA 98104-1061
- Phone: 1-800-669-4000/(206) 220-6884 for interviews.
- Fax: 206-220-6911
- TTY: 1-800-669-6820
- ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
- Director: Nancy Sienko
- Regional Attorney: Roberta Steele
Office Hours: 8.30 – 3 p.m. Monday to Friday for telephone contact only. The Seattle office has recently been going through renovations delayed because of the pandemic. It is not currently open for walk-ins, but telephone interviews can be made.
Washington's Employment Laws
Washington has similar laws to the federal government for acts of discrimination at work. Discrimination at work due to 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 one of the state FEPAs or a TERO if you are an indigenous employee who has experienced discrimination at work. The procedure is similar to that used by the EEOC.
What You Can Do Next
When you are in a situation where it is necessary to file a charge of discrimination against your employer, having an experienced employment law attorney working with you helps to ease the burden.
The attorney is familiar with the state and federal laws and can assist you in preparing your case against your employer. The EEOC, state FEPA, or TERO, normally investigates the complaint.
If the EEOC arrives at a decision that states you have the grounds to file a lawsuit against your employer in a civil court, your attorney can prepare a compelling case on your behalf.
