Responding to unlawful discrimination speak to the person involved if it is safe to do so. speak to your manager or supervisor about what is happening. consider any policies that your workplace has about discrimination and dealing with a grievance. speak to Human Resources team, if your workplace has one.
Any employee who feels that he/she has been unfairly discriminated against or that an employer has contravened the laws may lodge a grievance in writing with their employer. The matter may thereafter be referred to the CCMA if the issue cannot be resolved at the workplace.
However, discrimination is a state of mind and, therefore, notoriously hard to prove. Sophisticated employers are well aware that discrimination is illegal. Thus, most cases are established through circumstantial evidence.
Report discrimination to a local Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA). If the discrimination breaks both a state and federal law, the FEPA will also send your complaint to the EEOC. Use the EEOC's directory of field offices to find the FEPA near you.
Call 800-884-1684 (voice), 800-700-2320 (TTY) or California's Relay Service at 711.
In general, a complaint of employment discrimination must be filed within three years from the date an alleged discriminatory act occurred. You must file a complaint with CRD even if you wish to file a case directly in court.
Include the following in your complaint letter: Your name, address and telephone number. The name, address, and telephone number of your attorney or authorized representative, if you are represented. The basis of your complaint. The date(s) that the incident(s) you are reporting as discrimination occurred.
Presentation of Evidence The burden of proof is on you to show the agency is liable for discriminating against you and that you are entitled to certain relief. You will proceed first with presentation of evidence. Evidence may take the form of documents, live witness testimony, photographs, objects, etc.
To file a complaint of discrimination, go to the CRD Web site home page and click on "File a Pre- Complaint Inquiry." If assistance is required to complete the online Pre-Complaint Inquiry, please call 800-884-1684. The completion and submission of the Pre-Complaint Inquiry will initiate the complaint process.
Claimants have 180 days to file an EEOC complaint following the date an alleged incident occurs. Similarly, the EEOC has 180 days from the date it receives a complaint to conclude its investigation and issue a Notice of Right to Sue to the claimant. However, it may not conclude its investigation within this time.