FAQ / Enforcing Your Rights if You Have Been Discriminated Against Because of Your Criminal Record

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency that enforces Title VII. Similarly, the D.C. Office of Human Rights is the D.C. agency that enforces the D.C. Human Rights Act. If you believe you were denied a job, promotion, or were fired from a private employer in the District of Columbia because of your criminal record, you may file a claim of race discrimination with the EEOC's DC office and/or the D.C. Office of Human Rights. If you were discriminated against by the federal or D.C. government, you must file with the EEOC. We recommend you get the help of an attorney when considering filing with one of these offices. To keep your rights under both federal and D.C. laws you must file within 300 days, within 45 days if the discriminator was the federal government, or within 180 days if the discriminator was the D.C. government. When you go to one agency, tell them to “cross file” your claim with the other agency, and you should check the box on the claim form that states “cross file.” When you cross file, you reserve the right to sue in federal or D.C. court. If you do not cross file, then you must sue in federal court if you filed with the EEOC or in D.C. court if filed with the D.C. Office of Human Rights.
• EEOC Contact Information. To file a discrimination claim with the EEOC, call (202) 275-7307 (ask for the investigator of the day), (202) 275-7377, or 1-800-669-4000 before going to the office to schedule an appointment. The EEOC office in
D.C. is at 1400 L Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC, 20005, close to the McPherson Square Metro. The EEOC will take claims Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
. • D.C. Office of Human Rights Contact Information. To file a claim with the D.C. Office of Human Rights, call (202) 727-3900 to make an appointment. The D.C. Office of Human Rights is located at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 970-North, Washington, D.C. 20001, near the Judiciary Square Metro stop. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.


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