While there are laws that protect people against employment discrimination in Texas and across the country, it unfortunately still occurs. Employees are frequently discriminated against due to their race, gender, disability status, marital status, religion and age. Some employees even face discrimination because they are pregnant. If you are the victim of employment discrimination, you need to take the following steps to file a discrimination complaint.
Gather all your documentation
Before you submit your employment discrimination complaint, you must gather all your documentation. Emails, text messages and formal letters all count as documentation. Also, if you have proof that you have been disciplined unfairly, such as by providing disciplinary statements and have proof they are false, this can also help your case. Thorough documentation will ensure an optimal outcome, as it will help during a discrimination investigation.
Clearly state how you were discriminated against
Your discrimination complaint must clearly identify the discrimination you faced. You also need to state how you were harmed, such as by being demoted, being passed over for a promotion or losing your job.
Fill out the Employment Discrimination Complaint Form
Fill out the Employment Discrimination Complaint Form and submit it to the Civil Rights Division. Once you have submitted this form, the Civil Rights Division will also forward your complaint to the EEOC, as this agency submits the complaint via their Work-sharing Agreement.
Keep in mind that if you want to file a discrimination complaint in Texas, you need to make sure you are within the statute of limitation. If it has been more than 180 days since the discrimination took place, then the statute of limitation has passed.