Filing a discrimination claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 involves several key steps ensure your complaint is properly addressed :
- Determine eligibility: Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees.
- File a charge with the EEOC: before pursuing legal action, you must file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This can be done online through the EEOC public portal after submitting any inquiry and completing an interview.
- Timely Filing: charges must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. This period extends to 300 days if a state or local anti discrimination law is also violated.
- EEOC investigation: The EEOC will assess whether there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred. They may offer mediation or pursue an investigation.
- Resolution or Right to sue: If the EEOC finds no cause, they will dismiss the charge. If discrimination is found, they will attempt to resolve the issue, possibly through settlement. If unresolved, they will issue a notice of right to sue, allowing you to file a lawsuit in federal court within 90 days.
