How Does the EEOC Enforce Federal Law?
The EEOC carries out its work at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., and in 50 field offices throughout the United States. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in employment begin by filing administrative charges. The EEOC investigates the charges to determine if there is “reasonable cause” to believe that discrimination has occurred, such that which occurred in the Saks case as described in a previous section. If reasonable cause is found, the EEOC urges the parties to reach a voluntary resolution of the matter by asking the parties to engage in a process of negotiation called conciliation. If conciliation is unsuccessful, the EEOC, on behalf of the individual making the complaint, may bring suit in federal court. Whenever the EEOC concludes its investigation, or earlier upon the request of a person filing a charge, it issues a “notice of right to sue” which also enables the filing party within 90 days to bring an individual action in court. Under Title VII a
