Civil Rights: Employment FAQs

the Department of Justice
  • What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

  • Who is responsible for enforcing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

  • What is Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act ?

  • Who is responsible for enforcing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act?

  • What can an individual do if he or she believes they've been discriminated against in employment in violation of Title VII?

  • What is the relationship between the EEOC and the U.S. Department of Justice ?

  • Is there a time limit involved with filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC under Title VII?

  • If I've filed a charge with the EEOC and want a notice of right to sue , which agency will issue it to me?

  • I don't believe that the EEOC properly investigated my charge of discrimination, can the Department of Justice help me?

  • How can an individual who wants to file a private suit find an attorney?

  • Can the Department of Justice assist an individual who alleges that he or she has been improperly represented by a private attorney ?

  • What if an individual would like to file a private lawsuit but cannot afford to pay for one?

  • The court dismissed my case without giving me a hearing . Can the Department of Justice help me?

  • Can the Department of Justice provide legal assistance to private citizens ?

  • Can the Department of Justice assist an individual with a discrimination complaint that the individual may have against a federal employer ?

  • Who is responsible for handling employment discrimination complaints related to an individual's immigration or citizenship status ?

  • What is the Age Discrimination In Employment Act ?

  • What is Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ?

  • What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ?

  • What is the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ?

  • What is the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 ?

  • What is the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ?

  • Who is responsible for handling private pension plan complaints ?

  • Who is responsible for handling Workers' Compensation complaints ?

  • What is Executive Order 11246 ?

  • What is the Department of Justice's position on the use of gender-based physical fitness standards to select candidates for physically demanding jobs , such as police officers?

    Q: What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

    A: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. ยง2000e, et seq., prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion. It's also unlawful under the Act for an employer to take retaliatory action against any individual for:
    • Opposing employment practices that are unlawful under Title VII
    • Filing a discrimination charge
    • Testifying or assisting or participating in an investigation, proceeding or hearing under Title VII

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    Q: Who's responsible for enforcing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

    A: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") enforces Title VII against private employers. The Employment Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice enforces Title VII against state and local government employers.

    But individuals who believe they've been victims by any employer of discrimination prohibited by Title VII must file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC in order to protect their rights. The EEOC is responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination alleging a violation of Title VII.

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    Q: What is Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act?

    A: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA") prohibits discrimination in employment against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability. It's also unlawful under the Act for an employer to take retaliatory action against any individual for:
    • Opposing employment practices made unlawful by the ADA
    • Filing a discrimination charge
    • Testifying or assisting or participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the ADA.

    Title I of the ADA designates the EEOC as the federal agency primarily responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under the Act. If you believe that you've been discriminated against in employment in violation of the ADA, you should contact the EEOC. The Americans with Disabilities Act Home Page contains useful information about the entire ADA, as does the following number: 1-800-514-0301; 1-800-514-0383 (TDD).

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    Q: Who's responsible for enforcing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act?

    A: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") enforces Title I of the ADA against private employers. The Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice enforces Title I of the ADA against state and local government employers.

    Title I of the ADA designates the EEOC as the federal agency primarily responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under the Act.

    If you believe any employer has discriminated against you in violation of the ADA, you should contact the EEOC. The Americans with Disabilities Act Home Page contains useful information about the entire ADA, as does the following number: 1-800-514-0301; 1-800-514-0383 (TDD).

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    Q: What can an individual do if he or she believes that he or she has been discriminated against in employment in violation of Title VII?

    A: You should contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") to find out whether you may file a charge. Congress has designated the EEOC as the federal agency responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under Title VII.

    Individuals who are federal employees, or applicants for employment with a federal agency, must file a charge with the equal opportunity office of the federal agency.

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    Q: What's the relationship between the EEOC and the U.S. Department of Justice?

    A: If the EEOC, after investigating a charge of employment discrimination filed against a state or local government employer under Title VII or the Americans with Disabilities Act determines there's reasonable cause to believe a violation of the law has occurred and conciliation efforts are unsuccessful, the EEOC will then refer the charge to the Department of Justice.

    The Department of Justice will either initiate litigation on the charge or issue a notice of right to sue to the charging party, which entitles the charging party to file his or her own lawsuit in court.

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    Q: Is there a time limit for filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC under Title VII?

    A: Yes. Title VII imposes time limits for the filing of charges of discrimination. The EEOC can provide you with further information on this subject.

    In most instances, a charge must be filed within 300 days of the act of discrimination. In some states the charge must be filed within 180 days of the act of discrimination.

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    Q: If I have filed a charge with the EEOC and want a notice of right to sue, which agency will issue it to me?

    The Employment Litigation Section, through its "right to sue" unit, issues notices of the right to sue requested by charging parties, after receiving appropriate documentation from the EEOC on charges that have been filed with the EEOC against state and local government employers under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act, except in those instances in which the EEOC has dismissed the charge.

    If the charge has been filed against a private employer or a union, only the EEOC has authority to issue a notice of right to sue. Also, only the EEOC has authority to issue a notice of right to sue under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, regardless of whether the person named in the charge is a state or local government employer or a private employer or a union.

    If you've filed a charge under Title VII or the Americans with Disabilities Act against a state or local government employer and want a notice of right to sue, you may make your request in writing either to the office of the EEOC where you filed the charge or to the Employment Litigation Section.

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    Q: I don't believe the EEOC properly investigated my charge of discrimination. Can the Department of Justice help me?

    A: No. The Department of Justice is without authority to review the manner in which the EEOC conducts its investigations or to intervene before the EEOC on behalf of an individual.

    If you believe that the EEOC didn't properly investigate your charge, you may wish to contact:

      Director, Office of Field Management Programs

      Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

      1801 L Street, NW, Room 8023

      Washington, D.C. 20507

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    Q: How can someone who wants to file a private suit find an attorney?

    A: The local EEOC office and the courts often maintain lists of attorneys who handle cases involving employment discrimination. Another source for obtaining names of attorneys is the lawyer referral services operated by state and local bar associations.

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    Q: Can the Department of Justice help someone who alleges that he or she hasn't been properly represented by a private attorney?

    A: No. Individuals who believe that they have been improperly represented by a private attorney may want to bring their concerns to the attention of the state bar association in their area.

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    Q: What if I would like to file a private lawsuit but cannot afford to pay for one?

    A: You may want to contact a local legal aid agency to find out whether that agency can be of any assistance.

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    Q: I disagree with the way the court handled my case. Can the Department of Justice help me?

    A: No. The courts are part of the judicial branch of the federal government and are separate from the executive branch of which the Department of Justice is a part. The Department of Justice doesn't have authority to review the decision-making process of the federal courts or to intervene before them on behalf of an individual.

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    Q: Can the Department of Justice provide legal assistance to private citizens?

    A: No. The Department of Justice isn't authorized to provide legal assistance to private citizens or to represent them.

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    Q: Who's responsible for handling employment discrimination complaints related to an individual's immigration or citizenship status?

    A: The Department of Justice's Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices ("OSC") is responsible for investigating charges of job discrimination related to an individual's citizenship or immigration status and, in certain situations, national origin.

    The OSC also investigates charges that an employer has:

    • Requested that an employee or job applicant establish employment eligibility and identity by presenting more or different documents than are required by law
    • Rejected reasonably genuine-looking documents, or
    • Demanded a specific document such as a Alien Registration Card or "Green Card"

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    Q: Can the Department of Justice assist an individual with a discrimination complaint against a federal employer?

    A: No. Congress has not given the Department of Justice authority to pursue charges of employment discrimination against departments or agencies of the federal government. The procedure for filing a charge of employment discrimination against a department or agency of the federal government is to contact an equal employment opportunity officer at that agency who is authorized to receive and investigate such a charge. The personnel office at the agency in question can provide you with further information about filing a charge of employment discrimination.

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    Q: What is the Age Discrimination In Employment Act?

    A: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the "ADEA"), prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of age with respect to individuals who are 40 years of age or older. Congress has designated the EEOC as the federal agency responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under the ADEA. If you believe that you/ve been discriminated against in violation of the ADEA, you should contact the EEOC to find out whether you may file a charge.

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    Q: What is Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

    A: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VI") prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Title VI gives primary responsibility for the enforcement of its provisions on those federal agencies extending financial assistance to the program or activity. The federal agency that extends the financial assistance can be contacted to find out how you may file a complaint under Title VI.

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    Q: What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

    A: Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires departments and agencies of the federal government to have an affirmative action program plan for the hiring, placement, and advancement of individuals with disabilities.

    The Department of Justice doesn't have authority under that Act to investigate the employment practices of other departments or agencies of the federal government.

    The procedure for filing a charge of employment discrimination against a department or agency of the federal government is to contact an equal employment opportunity officer at that agency who is authorized to receive and investigate such a charge.

    Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires contractors with the federal government to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs ("OFCCP") is the federal agency responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under Section 503.

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("Section 504") prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 gives primary responsibility for the enforcement of its provisions on those federal agencies extending financial assistance to the program or activity.

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    Q: What is the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968?

    A: Recipients of federal funding for law enforcement under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 are prohibited by that statute from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

    Primary responsibility for the enforcement of the anti-discrimination provision of the Act rests with the Office for Civil Rights of the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Justice. This office may be reached at (202) 307-0690.

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    Q: What is the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974?

    A: Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 ("VEVRAA") requires contractors with the federal government to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified disabled and Vietnam era veterans.

    The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs ("OFCCP") is the federal agency responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under the VEVRAA.

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    Q: What is the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act?

    A: The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act seeks to ensure that members of the uniformed services are entitled to return to their civilian employment on completion of active duty military service.

    The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve ("ESGR") is an agency within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. It was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from military commitment. Any questions regarding uniformed service employment rights should be addressed to the ESGR at (800) 336-4590.

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    Q: Who's responsible for handling private pension plan complaints?

    A: The U.S. Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration is responsible for regulating private pension plans.

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    Q: Who's responsible for handling Workers' Compensation complaints?

    A: The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is responsible for regulating workers' compensation issues involving federal workers. All other complaints are handled by the particular state involved.

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    Q: What is Executive Order 11246?

    A: Executive Order 11246 prohibits discrimination in employment by contractors with the federal government on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.

    The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs ("OFCCP") of the U.S. Department of Labor is the federal agency responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under Executive Order 11246.

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    Q: What is the Department of Justice's position on the use of gender-based physical fitness standards to select candidates for physically demanding jobs, such as police officers?

    A: The Department of Justice is on record as supporting the use of gender-based physical fitness standards for positions, such as police officers.

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    Information courtesy of the Department of Justice.
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