Have you experienced workplace discrimination? If so, you may pursue legal action by filing a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Technically, your attorney may file a charge of discrimination on your behalf if you’ve hired one. This is one of many tasks a lawyer can handle if you enlist their help.
Filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC also just got easier for workplace discrimination lawyers. As of December 2023, lawyers may file such charges using E-File for Attorneys
How Does the E-File For Attorneys Work?
According to the EEOC, approximately one-third of charges they receive come from attorneys submitting complaints on behalf of their clients. Historically, lawyers have had three options for submitting such complaints:
- Fax
- Hand-delivery
These methods have caused inefficiencies for both attorneys and the EEOC. With E-File for Attorneys, lawyers will now be able to submit complaints electronically. They can do so by:
- Uploading and submitting signed complaints that they’ve yet to submit to the EEOC
- Creating new charges to submit through E-File for Attorneys
Lawyers can use E-File for Attorneys by signing into their Login.gov accounts. A lawyer will have to create a Login.gov account to use E-File for Attorneys if they don’t have such an account. Upon submitting a charge, a lawyer can access their pending charges through the EEOC Public Portal.
A lawyer must disclose their client’s identity when submitting a complaint electronically. Currently, the application does not permit attorneys to file amended charges.
Can I Still File a Charge of Discrimination Online If I Don’t Have An Attorney?
You may file a charge of discrimination electronically through the EEOC Public Portal even if you don’t have a lawyer. You will have to register to create an account if you haven’t yet done so. You can then proceed to the Filing with EEOC questionnaire to begin the filing process.
What Is Workplace Discrimination?
Workplace discrimination can take many forms. It occurs when an employer treats an employee or candidate differently from others (in a negative manner) due to said employee belonging to a protected class. Per the EEOC, protected classes and characteristics include:
- Race/color
- Religion
- Sex/gender
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Pregnancy
- National origin
- Genetic information
- Age (if you’re 40 years of age or older)
Examples of workplace discrimination include:
- Unfair treatment
- Harassment
- Denying employees/candidates reasonable workplace changes and accommodations for their religions, disabilities, etc.
- Improperly requesting employees or candidates to disclose medical/genetic information
- Retaliation
It may not always be clear whether you’ve experienced workplace discrimination. Consider reviewing your case with an attorney if you have questions about potential legal options.
Get Help From An Attorney
Reviewing your case to determine whether you have grounds to file a charge of discrimination is just one way a lawyer can help you in these circumstances. They may also assist you with everything from completing paperwork to gathering evidence that discrimination occurred. Learn more by taking the Free Case Evaluation today to get connected to an employment law attorney that subscribes to the website and may be able to help with your case.
