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If you want to file a charge against a federal employer, you need to contact an EEO counselor at the agency you applied with or worked for. You must contact the EEO counselor within 45 days from the day the discrimination occurred. The EEO counselor will offer alternative dispute resolution programs, but if you cannot settle the dispute, you will need to file a formal complaint. You will file a formal complaint with the help of your EEO counselor. Once you do, the agency will decide whether to investigate the claim or dismiss it. If the agency investigates the claim, they have 180 days to do so. When the investigation is completed, the agency will issue a notice allowing you to request a hearing in front of the EEOC or ask the agency to issue a decision concluding whether discrimination occurred. If you ask the agency to issue a decision and they find that no discrimination took place, or if you disagree with a part of the decision, you can appeal to the EEOC or to federal court. If you want a hearing, you must request one within 30 days of receiving the investigation findings. At the hearing, you will plead your case in front of an administrative law judge. The judge will make a finding and order relief if discrimination is found. The judge's findings and order will then be sent to the agency and they will decide whether to uphold the decision or not. The agency will have 40 days to make their final decision. If the agency declines to follow the administrative law judge's decision, you will be able to appeal to the EEOC. You must do this within 30 days of receiving the agency's decision. The EEOC will review all the materials and make a determination. If you do not agree with the EEOC's determination, you can ask for a reconsideration. Your request will only be accepted if you can show there was a mistake of fact or law. This request must happen within 30 days of receiving the appeal decision. If a reconsideration is granted, the decision that comes out of it is considered the final agency action.
Contact an EEO counselor. File a formal complaint. Ask the agency to issue a decision. Request a hearing. File an appeal. Request reconsideration.