EEOC's Meaning
EEOC's Meaning
| Who: | EEOC = the Equal Employment Opportunity Commmission |
| What: | Administrative Agency that investigates discrimination |
| Where: | US. Federal. Executive Branch. |
| When: | 1964 |
| How: | Statutes: Title VII, Title VIII, etc. Regulations: 29 CFR 1600 - 29 CFR 1695 |
| Why: | Combat discrimination to help form a more perfect union, and improve the general welfare |
| Web: | EEOC.gov |
Basically, the EEOC is a federal agency that investigates complaints of discrimination (employment, public accommodations).
People submit their complaints to the agency before filing their lawsuits.
John Doe works for Company XYZ. It dawns on him that his direct manager is sexually harassing him (by withholding promotions, raises, etc.). So, he files a complaint with the EEOC.
During the investigation of his sex discrimination complaint, though, Company XYZ fires him. So, he amends it to explicitly include a charge for retaliation.
After 180 days, the EEOC issues him a Right-to-Sue letter, and he takes his case to federal court. Where a jury of his peers ends up awarding him damages.
Jane Doe sues Company ABC for denying her access to its restaurant. The Court, however, dismisses her cause of action, because she did not file a discrimination complaint with the EEOC beforehand.
Such a filing is a condition precedent for litigating a discrimination lawsuit.
The EEOC has many state agency equivalents (eg, the FCHR).
Some of which have ulterior motives (ie, subverting Title VII's purpose).
Some of which, unfortunately, have repugnant methods (eg, Bribery).
So, please beware of the state agencies that purport to support the EEOC's goals.
