Charges may be filed in person, by mail or by telephone by contacting the nearest EEOC office. To avoid delay, call or write beforehand if you need special assistance, such as an interpreter, to file a charge. There are strict time frames in which charges of employment discrimination must be filed. To preserve the ability of the EEOC to act on your behalf and to protect your right to file a private lawsuit, should you ultimately need to, adhere to the following guidelines when filing a charge.
Most states do have their own anti-discrimination laws and agencies.
You must file charges with the EEOC within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act. In states with anti-discrimination laws and agencies authorized to enforce them, you may file charges with EEOC within 300 days of the discriminatory act or 30 days after receiving notice that the state or local agency has stopped processing the charge, whichever is earlier. It is best to contact the EEOC promptly when you suspect discrimination. When charges or complaints are filed beyond these time frames, you may not be able to obtain any remedy. The investigation After you file a complaint the employer is notified that the charge has been filed.