EEO Complaint Process Guidelines and Stages
The Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint Process guidelines are enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The process is derived from EEOC Management Directive 110 and 29 CFR 1614.
EEO complaints of discrimination are taken seriously at the Department of Transportation. No employees, former employees, or applicants for employment can be discriminated against due to their protected class such as: race, color, national origin, sex, (gender, pregnancy, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status), religion, age (40 and over), disability (mental/physical), equal pay compensation, genetic information and retaliation (see the NO FEAR ACT). (In Spanish)
There are four primary stages in the EEO complaint process. The first three stages, pre-complaint, formal complaint, and appeal, are all part of the EEOC's administrative process. The final stage starts the judicial process.
- Pre-Complaint Stage
- Formal Complaint Stage
- Mixed Cases Complaints
- Class Complaints
- Appeal Stage
- Judicial Stage
These stages are hierarchical, meaning one stage must usually be exhausted before the next stage can be started. An individual who does not follow this hierarchy will be remanded to an earlier stage. If specific time limits under EEOC regulations have been exceeded, an individual may continue on to the next stage.
How do I contact the Civil Rights Office or a Civil Rights official?
EEO Library
Use the provided DOT policies, laws, regulations, and websites taken from the Civil Rights Library to research equal employment opportunity in the Federal sector.