The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that enforces anti-discrimination laws throughout the country. When an Illinois resident experiences discrimination on the job or during the process of applying for a job, they may file a complaint with the EEOC to investigate the matter. The EEOC is charged with enforcing many laws, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
Individuals who have experienced discrimination at work generally must file their complaints with the EEOC in a timely manner. They cannot wait months or even years to bring their claims, as most matters must be filed within 180 days of when the discriminatory act occurred. If a person was subjected to ongoing harassment and discrimination while on the job, their timeline may be somewhat different.
Because of the diversity of laws under review by the EEOC and the varying timelines that individuals must meet in order to have their matters investigated, it is important that they do not wait to discuss their discrimination concerns. Lawyers in this field can help victims of workplace discrimination get their complaints filed on time and processed so that the individuals do not later lose their rights to sue if that is an option.
Workplaces in the United State should be free from harassment and discrimination. The EEOC works to protect individuals from the damaging actions and attitudes of their employers. Readers with more questions about the EEOC and its role in pursuing discrimination-based legal claims should contact their employment law attorneys.