Work and business
Who handles discrimination at work?
Who handles it
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) takes charges of job discrimination. Many states and cities also have their own fair employment agencies.
- Federal
- State
- Local
Facts checked November 5, 2026 · 1 sources
Why federal and state and local government
Federal laws bar job discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information. For most of these laws, you must file with the EEOC before you can sue.
What to do next
- Submit an inquiry in the EEOC Public Portal and schedule an intake interview.
- Act soon, because there are time limits for filing a charge.
- If you file with a state or local fair employment agency instead, it is dual-filed with the EEOC when federal law applies.
In your state
Find your state’s official offices on our state pages.
What varies
State and local anti-discrimination laws differ. Federal employees and job applicants use a different complaint process.
Learn the background: How do federal, state and local laws fit together?
Sources
Official recordEEOC: Filing a charge of discrimination