{"id":357695,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/employment-discrimination\/filing-an-eeoc-complaint-or-charge.html"},"modified":"2025-03-18T10:22:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T15:22:00","slug":"filing-an-eeoc-complaint-or-charge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/employment-discrimination\/filing-an-eeoc-complaint-or-charge.html","title":{"rendered":"How To File an EEOC Discrimination Complaint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To File an EEOC Discrimination Complaint<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A formal complaint of discrimination may be the best way to protect your rights. It is also a necessary step before you can sue your employer. The EEOC enforces federal civil rights laws, including complaints under anti-discrimination laws.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A job applicant or employee may suffer real consequences due to workplace discrimination. If so, one of the first steps for taking legal action would be to file a complaint.<\/p>\n

Below is information on filing a discrimination charge with the EEOC, including a general timeline for EEOC actions. This process is often the starting point for any legal action after consulting with an employment lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Which Government Agency Fights Discrimination at Work?<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission<\/a>\u00a0(EEOC) handles most federal employment discrimination claims. In some areas, Fair Employment Practices Agencies (FEPAs) handle complaints according to local laws. FEPAs work with the EEOC for efficiency.<\/p>\n

Both the EEOC and local FEPAs work to help complainants in the private sector. Employees in the federal sector send complaints to an Equal Employment Office (EEO) that serves the agency instead.<\/p>\n

The EEOC handles charges for\u00a0prohibited employment practices. The EEOC enforces Title VII <\/a>and the Equal Pay Act<\/a>. The\u00a0laws enforced by the EEOC, except the Equal Pay Act, require you to file a charge before filing a lawsuit for discrimination.<\/p>\n

The EEOC enforces laws that protect workers<\/a> from discrimination and retaliation because of:<\/p>\n