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In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is implementing agency-wide telework. Effective immediately all employees, other than the minimal staffing needed to handle mail, will be encouraged to telework until further notice.
This step allows the EEOC to continue to enforce the nation’s employment anti-discrimination laws while taking measures to keep its employees and the public safe. Prior to this new policy, the EEOC had already implemented expanded telework in several of its 53 field offices nationwide. The EEOC had previously announced that its Washington, D.C. field office and headquarters had moved to 100 percent telework because of potential coronavirus exposure.
On March 12 all EEOC offices began conducting charge intake over the phone, minimizing the health risks to agency employees and the public while ensuring that no employee or applicant would lose their rights under the laws we enforce. Preserving access to being able to file a charge of discrimination is important because the laws the EEOC enforces have deadlines within which employees and applicants must file discrimination charges.
If you would like to begin the process of filing a charge of discrimination you are encouraged to visit the EEOC Public Portal (https://publicportal.eeoc.gov) to schedule an intake appointment by telephone. The system can also be accessed by going directly to our website at www.eeoc.gov. More information about reaching an EEOC field office is available at https://www.eeoc.gov/field/index.cfm.
Anyone who cannot use the portal can call the EEOC at 1-800-669-4000 to begin the process of filing a charge.
The EEOC is also encouraging federal employees in the federal sector EEO process to file requests for hearings and appeals electronically through the EEOC Public Portal.
Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can reach the EEOC by videophone at 1-844-234-5122. If you have a disability which prevents you from accessing the Public Portal or you otherwise have difficulty with accessing the portal, please call 1-800-669-4000.
Agency leadership will continue to monitor this evolving situation and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
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