The employee must first present evidence that he is a member of a protected class, he was qualified for the position he held, he suffered an adverse employment action such as being fired, and that he was replaced with another worker who is not a member of that protected class.
In fact, the title defines an employee as simply "an individual employed by an employer." Therefore, assuming they work — or are applying to work — for a covered employer as outlined above, Title VII provides discrimination protection for all employees, former employees, and those applying to be employees.
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.
All complaints are filed by the First Filing Unit, 1339 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Mail your complaint to this address. Include a self-address stamped envelope with your filing, to receive your filed complaint, pertinent forms and hearing information.
A job discrimination complaint may be filed by mail or in person at the nearest EEOC office. You can find the closest EEOC office by calling the EEOC at 1-800-669-4000, or by going to the EEOC's Field Office List and Jurisdiction Map and selecting the office closest to you.