Filing an Age and Sex Discrimination Charge with the EEOC
Dec. 18, 2017
If you are being discriminated based on your age and/or gender, your first move should be to inform the management of your organization about it and try to resolve the matter internally. Most companies have a systematic procedure described in their employee handbook for filing such complaints. However, if you think that the company’s response was not satisfactory or the management ignored your complaint, you should turn to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for help.
The EEOC has a very well-defined system for handling complaints regarding discrimination at workplace than other government agencies. However, it has strict guidelines for filing complaints, as well as time limits that span from a few to months to a year. The EEOC offices are spread across the country, and if you want to search for the nearest office to you, visit the agency’s official website.
You can file the charge against age and sex discrimination with the EEOC in the following way:
Filing in Person
When you file a charge, an EEOC investigator or lawyer interviews you and evaluate whether your complaint is valid. Each field office has slightly different procedures for walk-ins or appointments. You are required to bring documents or any other source of information that may help the investigator to understand your case. You can give names and contact information of people who can support your complaint.
The EEOC allows people to bring anyone, who may be able to assist you in anyway, to the meeting. You may also bring your attorney to talk with the investigator and explain the case.
Via Mail
You can send a letter to the EEOC office to file a charge, which must include the following information:
Your complete contact information including your name, telephone number, and address
The name, telephone number, and address of the employer
A brief description of discriminatory act
The number of employees currently working at the organization (if known)
The details of why you think you were discriminated like age, sex, national origin, etc.
When the discriminatory events happened
Your signature
It is very important that you sign the letter, or otherwise your application will not be entertained.
Online Assessment System
While the EEOC doesn’t accept charge applications online, they do have an online assessment tool. The tool is designed to help individuals determine whether the agency is the right option for resolving their case. You will have to complete an Intake Questionnaire and either mail or bring it to the nearest EEOC field office to start the filing process.
By Telephone
The EEOC doesn’t file charges over the phone, but it can help you start the process. You can submit basic information about your discrimination charge, which will be forwarded to an investigator in the EEOC field office closest to your location. The office will contact you to discuss the situation and possible outcomes after evaluating your case.
It is essential to have an employment discrimination attorney by your side to assist in filing a complaint with the EEOC and make sure that the agency accepts your case. Talk to an experienced Roselle employment discrimination attorney to discuss your case today and evaluate your legal options. Contact the Law Office of Michael T. Smith today for a consultation.