EEOC stands for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and an EEOC complaint is a complaint that has been filed with the EEOC alleging that there has been some type of discrimination at work. An EEOC complaint has to involve being harassed or otherwise treated unfairly at work due to your color, race, sex, country of origin, age, disability, religion, or genetic information. However, EEOC complaints can also be filed if you are treated unfairly at work because you filed a lawsuit regarding job discrimination.
Have you been served with an EEOC complaint? It’s normal to be worried about what it means and how you should respond. But having an experienced attorney on your side can make the process easier. Our law firm is waiting to help you, and you can schedule a meeting with a member of our team today.
What Happens After an EEOC Complaint Is Filed?
When an employee files a complaint with the EEOC, the commission will start an investigation into that complaint. What happens next depends on the details of that investigation. If the EEOC determines that the discrimination did occur, they have the option to file formal charges. They may also find that the allegations were unfounded. In some cases, the complaint is settled without a formal charge between the two parties via mediation.
What Are the Potential Consequences After an EEOC Complaint?
An EEOC complaint is serious, and the investigation by the commission will be thorough. If an employer is found to be in violation of the equal employment opportunity laws, the commission can impose fines on the business. However, this is separate from the settlement of the actual complaint, which often results in monetary compensation to the complainant. It is possible to take the case to trial — called a wrongful termination lawsuit — but many of these types of cases are settled out of court.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
If an EEOC complaint has been filed against your business, it is important to talk with an attorney who has experience with employment law as soon as possible. The attorney can go over the complaint and review the exact circumstances that the complaint alleges. After that, they can start to help you understand your options, whether that is fighting the complaint or settling it out of court if the commission finds that the business is in violation. An attorney can also represent you through the mediation process.
If you’re interested in talking with a Southern California business attorney, call our Beverly Hills office at 323-230-6200. Our team can review the complaint, provide counsel on the next steps, and work with you to respond and see the process through.