The EEOC Is Making It Easier to File Charges of Discrimination

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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has announced the launch of E-File for Attorneys, which enables attorneys to file charges of discrimination electronically on behalf of their clients, either by uploading a signed charge or creating a charge that their client can sign and submit through the EEOC Public Portal.

As many employers may know, if an employee believes that they have been subjected to workplace discrimination or harassment in violation of Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, they must file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC (or a state/local fair employment practices agency, in which case the charge is considered to be “dual-filed” with the EEOC) before they are able to bring suit against their employer.

According to the EEOC, approximately 1/3 of the charges received are filed by attorneys on behalf of their clients, using mail, fax or hand-delivery. The EEOC then processes them manually. This electronic filing option should streamline the process and free up resources for the EEOC to better assist those who are unrepresented.