Under U.S. law, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defends workers against workplace discrimination, retaliation, and harassment. If you’ve experienced discrimination at work, Cruz Law Firm, P.A. can examine your case. They’ll guide you through the EEOC process or help you file a lawsuit.
The skilled EEOC attorneys at Cruz Law Firm have a history of fighting hard for clients wronged in hiring, firing, promotion, and more. They’re known for their expertise in labor law and employment litigation. They work tirelessly to support clients with EEOC claims and court cases.
If you suspect unlawful discrimination at your job, contact Cruz Law. Our Florida EEOC lawyers can assess your case and discuss how to seek justice. Financial compensation from your employer might be obtained. We offer a confidential, no-obligation initial consultation to review your situation.
Benefits of Having an EEOC Attorney in the Complaint Process
If you have reason to file a complaint against your employer with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a Cruz Law EEOC attorney in Florida can help you prepare your complaint and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
It is likely that your employer will be represented by an attorney. The employer may deny your complaint and try to put the blame on you, potentially damaging your reputation and employability. Meanwhile, the EEOC cannot take sides and will not assist or advise you. But an experienced employment discrimination attorney with Cruz Law Firm can guide you through the complaint process.
To file an EEOC complaint is to initiate a legal claim based on employment discrimination laws that are complex and nuanced. While your case may be settled, in many cases, the EEOC concludes its investigation by issuing a Notice of Right to Sue letter. That gives you 90 days to file a lawsuit in federal court. You will need a lawyer to file a federal lawsuit, but few will step into a case with so little time to investigate, prepare and file a claim in federal court.
In cases of age discrimination or Equal Pay Act violations, you do not have to wait for a Notice of Right to Sue letter to file a lawsuit. You also have the right to request a Notice of Right to Sue from the EEOC if the agency has not issued a ruling within 180 days of the date you filed your complaint. As your attorneys, Cruz Law Firm can help you save time and expenses by filing a lawsuit without undue delay if it is appropriate to do so.
You will fare better if you engage a lawyer from the start who can investigate and help you file a strong complaint with the EEOC. This will ensure you have solid and persuasive evidence backing you during mediation and in a strong federal lawsuit if necessary.
Understanding the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee based on the following:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation)
- National origin
- Age (40 or older)
- Disability
Protected Classes
Federal law provides protection to groups of people from laws or policies that discriminate based on shared characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.
The Scope of the EEOC’s Jurisdiction
EEOC protections are provided by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal legislation.
The laws apply to all types of work situations, including:
- Hiring
- Training
- Promotions
- Firing
- Harassment
- Wages and benefits.
Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases). Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered.
How the EEOC Enforces Federal Employment Laws
The EEOC investigates charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law. If the agency determines that discrimination has occurred, it may choose to resolve the case through mediation or a negotiated settlement.
When cases cannot be resolved through negotiations or mediation, the EEOC will, in a small percentage of cases, file a lawsuit and litigate the case. If the EEOC declines to litigate an unresolved case, the individual who has sought relief from the EEOC may pursue a lawsuit independently. An employment discrimination attorney at Cruz Law Firm can help you evaluate the appropriate steps to take in your case.
What is EEOC Mediation?
In mediation, an independent third party helps the parties involved in a dispute seek a resolution of the issues that divide them. The mediator remains neutral and does not decide who is right or wrong or issue a decision. If EEOC mediation is successful, the parties sign an agreement that is enforceable like any other contract. All parties to EEOC mediation also sign an agreement of confidentiality.
About the EEOC Mediation Process
EEOC mediation is voluntary, and not every complaint to the EEOC is mediated. After receiving a complaint, the EEOC may contact the employee and employer to ask whether they are interested in mediation. If either party declines mediation, the EEOC will move on and begin its investigation of the complaint.
If the parties agree to mediation, they will meet for one or more sessions, which usually last for three or four hours. Many mediations are completed in a single session. There is no charge.
Although neither party is required to have an attorney with them in mediation, either party may choose to do so. At Cruz Law, we recommend that you have an EEOC attorney in Tallahassee with you to protect your rights as you pursue an employment discrimination complaint.
Reasons for Seeking EEOC Mediation
The EEOC considers its mediation program to be a successful program with benefits for both parties. The EEOC offers 10 reasons to seek EEOC mediation:
- It is free.
- Fair and neutral. Each party has an equal say in the process and has ownership of the terms of any settlement reached.
- Saves time and money. Many mediations are completed in one meeting.
- Avoids litigation. Another time and cost savings.
- Is Confidential.
- Fosters cooperation and a problem-solving approach to workplace issues.
- Improves communication. Discussing issues in a neutral and confidential setting can lead to mutually satisfactory results.
- Helps the parties discover the real issues in their workplace.
- Allows the parties to design their own solution. Mediation can lead to resolving all issues important to the parties, not just the underlying legal dispute.
- With mediation, everyone wins. The EEOC says an independent survey found that 96% of all respondents and 91% of all parties filing complaints who used mediation would use it again.
At Cruz Law Firm, P.A., we are dedicated to representing employees in matters involving workplace misconduct, unjust treatment, and discriminatory practices. Contact Cruz Law today to talk with an experienced Tallahassee employment lawyer about the discrimination cases we pursue.
Discrimination in the Workplace: Types of Discrimination
- Employment Discrimination, including complaints based on:
- Harassment in the Workplace
Hire a Trusted Florida EEOC Attorney to Protect Your Rights
You do not have to go it alone if you have encountered workplace discrimination in Florida. The employment law attorneys at Cruz Law can give you trusted guidance as you seek justice through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s complaint process or a federal lawsuit. You may be owed substantial compensation for what you have been needlessly put through, and the attorneys with Cruz Law want to help you demand it. We can help you hold your employer accountable for what you have endured.
Contact Cruz Law Firm for a confidential consultation about your legal options, what to expect during the EEOC claims process, and how we can represent you and protect your rights during this difficult time. Our experienced EEOC attorneys stand up for hard-working people like you in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and across the Florida Panhandle. Call Cruz Law Firm at (850) 518-6319 today to speak to an employment attorney. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you don’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case.
