If you have been the victim of discrimination in employment because of race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, or religion, you can file a charge of discrimination with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) or the US. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). A timely filed charge will preserve your claim.
There are certain time frames within which you need to file your charge. A charge must be filed within 300 days of the discrimination to preserve federal claims of discrimination. If the charge is filed within 300 days it can be cross-filed with the MDHR so you don’t need to file two separate charges. Untimely charges risk being dismissed.
In order to preserve state claims of discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act a charge must be filed within one year from the discrimination. A state claim of discrimination can also be started by way of a lawsuit directly, whereas this is not an option for federal claims.
The Minneapolis office of the EEOC is at (612) 335-4000 or toll free at 1-800-669-4000. The MDHR in St. Paul is at (651) 539-1100 or toll free at 1-800-657-3704.
There are exceptions to these time frames for federal employees who are typically required to notify the EEO office or contact within 45 days of the discrimination. This blog includes general information and is not intended to cover all situations or provide individual legal advice. If you have questions about your situation you may call me at (952) 746-5171.
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