Connecticut Federal Discrimination Attorney
Are You a Victim of Discrimination? Get Help from a Connecticut Federal Discrimination Attorney
If you have experienced discrimination as an employee of a federal agency in Connecticut, you have clear legal rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal laws prohibit discrimination in all aspects of federal employment, and all agencies should have policies and procedures in place to ensure that their employees (and job applicants) receive equal treatment under the law.
Yet, discrimination in federal employment remains common. Whether due to supervisors’ ignorance of the law or systemic practices that have persisted for years, there is no excuse for discrimination in the federal employment sector. If you are a victim, you can—and should—take legal action, and you should hire an experienced Connecticut federal discrimination Attorney to represent you.
Understanding the EEOC Complaint Process for Federal Employees
Federal employees (and job applicants) who have experienced discrimination have two primary options for asserting their legal rights: (i) filing a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and (ii) suing the U.S. government in federal district court. Most federal employees choose to take their discrimination claims to the EEOC, as there are several benefits to doing so in most cases.
When you schedule a confidential consultation, founding attorney Jay Stafford and his team will explain your options and help you make an informed decision. If you choose to file a complaint with the EEOC, here is a brief overview of what you can expect from the EEOC complaint process:
1. Communicating with an EEOC Counselor
Under federal law, you must make contact with your EEOC Counselor within 45 days of experiencing discrimination in the workplace. You must meet with the EEOC Counselor, at which time he or she will inform you of your legal rights, options and obligations.
2. Filing a Formal EEOC Complaint
After meeting with an EEOC Counselor, your next step is to file a formal complaint. You must file this complaint within 15 days of receiving notice from your EEOC Counselor. What you choose to include in your complaint is extremely important, so it is best to have a Connecticut federal discrimination attorney prepare this for you.
3. EEOC Investigation
Provided that your complaint meets the basic filing requirements, the EEOC will next conduct an investigation. You can (and generally should) play an active role in this process—and, here too, you will want to have an experienced attorney representing you.
4. EEOC Administrative Hearing
Once the EEOC closes its investigation, it will issue a notice of your right to a hearing. Once you receive this notice, you have 30 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Your Connecticut federal discrimination attorney can help you decide if requesting a hearing is in your best interests.
5. Offer of Resolution
Following the EEOC’s investigation, you may also receive an offer of resolution. This is an offer from your federal agency to settle your discrimination claim. If you receive an offer, you should consider it carefully, but you should also make sure you do not settle for an unjust outcome.
6. Final Order
If you do not accept an offer of resolution, then the EEOC complaint process will end with the issuance of a final order. This order will either come from your federal agency or the administrative law judge who presided over your hearing.
7. Appeals (If Necessary)
Finally, if necessary, you can appeal the outcome of your EEOC complaint. While your initial complaint will be filed with the EEOC, a Connecticut federal discrimination attorney can ultimately take your claim to court if necessary.
Have You Experienced Discrimination as a Federal Employee (or Job Applicant) in Connecticut?
To have a discrimination claim under federal law, you must experience discrimination based on a protected characteristic. In the federal employment sector, protected characteristics include:
- Age
- Color
- Disability
- Gender
- Genetic information
- National origin
- Pregnancy
- Race
- Religion
- Sex
To file a successful complaint, you must also be able to prove that you experienced discrimination as a federal employee (or job applicant). Some of the most common forms of employment-related discrimination include:
- Disparate treatment (including unequal pay) compared to similarly situated employees
- Harassment in the workplace
- Unjustified negative performance reviews or disciplinary action
- Wrongful denial of job opportunities, raises, promotions or security clearances
- Wrongful denial of reasonable accommodations
- Wrongful termination
Discuss Your Rights with a Connecticut Federal Discrimination Attorney in Confidence
If you would like to discuss your rights with a Connecticut federal discrimination lawyer, we encourage you to arrange a confidential consultation. To schedule an appointment, please call 410-514-6099 or contact us online today.