The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the Federal law prohibiting employment discrimination – Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA only covers employers with 15 or more employees.
You can file a complaint (called “a charge”) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) by writing a letter to the EEOC. You must include in your letter:
- your name, address and telephone number
- the name, address and telephone number of the employer you want to file your complaint against
- the number of employees employed there (if known)
- a short description of the events you believe were discriminatory (for example, you were fired, demoted, harassed or did not receive a requested accommodation)
- when the events took place
- your signature
Don’t forget to sign your letter. If you don’t sign it, the EEOC cannot investigate your complaint.
A complaint must be filed with the EEOC within 180 calendar days (about 6 months) from the date the discrimination happened, to protect your rights. This filing deadline may be extended to 300 calendar days (about 10 months) if you work in Vermont and file a complaint with the Vermont Office of Attorney General.
It is important to file your complaint as soon as possible.
Contact information for EEOC’s Boston area office:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
Phone: 1-800-669-4000
Fax: 1-617-565-3196
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 1-844-234-5122
You must receive a right-to-sue letter (a letter saying you may file a discrimination lawsuit in court) from the EEOC before filing an action in court. The EEOC will issue the letter when it has completed its investigation of your complaint. However, if you wish to proceed directly with a court claim, you may ask the EEOC to issue you a right-to-sue letter immediately.
If the EEOC sends you a right-to-sue letter, you will have 90 days from the date you receive the letter to sue in U.S. Federal District Court.
