Governmental Agencies for Discrimination Claims

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a Federal Governmental Agency established to investigate and attempt to resolve complaints of employment discrimination. In many employment cases which rely on violations on Federal Law, the employee is required to file a charge with the EEOC prior to being granted a right to sue in Federal Court.

The EEOC may wish to conduct an investigation of the charging parties claim and has the right to obtain information and documents from the employer.

The EEOC has a mediation process where both the employee and the employer are encouraged to settle their differences. If no compromise is reached between the parties, and the EEOC believes the complaint is meritorious, the EEOC may choose to file a lawsuit on behalf of the employee.

In other cases the EEOC issues a right to sue letter, which permits the employee to file a private lawsuit in Federal Court.

In Louisiana the state has state anti-discrimination in employment laws which may permit an employee to file a private lawsuit in State Court without the need to file a charge with the EEOC.

In all cases there are time limits to file either a charge with the EEOC and private lawsuits in either Federal or State Court.