If you decide to file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, you may wonder whether or not you should hire an attorney. While it is not expressly required, having a Los Angeles disability discrimination lawyer on your side while you make your EEOC complaint can be helpful.
When Should Someone File an EEOC Claim?
Someone should file a claim with the EEOC when they believe that federal laws are being violated by their workplace. If you believe that you are being harassed or discriminated against, then you should file a claim and hope that the EEOC can investigate.
The law protects workers from workplaces that would discriminate against them based on qualities that they do not control, like race, gender, age, or religion. If you suspect that you are being passed over for training opportunities, raises, promotions, or benefits due to one of these characteristics, that is a matter for the EEOC. If you are disabled and your workplace will not make accommodations for you, that is a matter for the EEOC. When you get into work and suffer harassment from bosses and/or co-workers and nothing is done about it, then that is a matter for the EEOC.
What Should I Do Before Filing an EEOC Claim?
Before you file an EEOC claim, you should give your employer a chance to fix things. This means documenting incidents of harassment and discrimination. Keep incriminating messages and e-mails. Track dates and times accurately. Then make your case to your company’s HR department.
How Does the EEOC Investigation Work?
Once you report the problem to your HR department, they may be able to shut down the bad behavior. If nothing changes or you are retaliated against for reporting a problem, then it is time to make an EEOC claim. You tell the agency what has been happening at your workplace and then it can decide whether or not to investigate. If it does investigate and find that your employer has broken the law, then they can issue fines and other punishments.
Does California Also Offer Its Own Workplace Protections?
California also has its own agency to report workplace issues to. If you want to report to the state rather than a federal agency, a Los Angeles County employment lawyer would be able to tell you more.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me With My EEOC Claim?
Having a lawyer who is familiar with the EEOC claim process can be helpful. They can help you craft a more compelling claim that makes it more likely that the agency will investigate. An employment lawyer cannot guarantee anything, but they can help you make the best possible case and could make it easier to hold your employer accountable.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are thinking about making an EEOC claim of your own, contact RD Law Group. We would love to hear more about your situation and help you address this employment issue.
