If you believe you may have been discriminated against in employment and meet the complaint requirements listed on this page, you may submit a discrimination complaint through the TWC Civil Rights Division.
The Civil Rights Division conducts neutral investigations and gathers information to determine if discrimination has occurred under the Texas Labor Code. We work in cooperation with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to resolve employment discrimination allegations.
When you submit an employment discrimination complaint with the Civil Rights Division, it is automatically submitted with EEOC through our Worksharing Agreement. You cannot submit with both the Civil Rights Division and the EEOC.
These are a few of the most common employment discrimination allegations:
I was not hired because of my disability.
I was demoted because of my national origin.
I was terminated because of my race.
I was harassed by co-workers because of my age.
I was denied benefits because of my pregnancy.
The Civil Rights Division conducts neutral investigations and gathers information to determine if discrimination has occurred under the Texas Labor Code. We work in cooperation with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to resolve employment discrimination allegations.
When you submit an employment discrimination complaint with the Civil Rights Division, it is automatically submitted with EEOC through our Worksharing Agreement. You cannot submit with both the Civil Rights Division and the EEOC.
These are a few of the most common employment discrimination allegations:
I was not hired because of my disability.
I was demoted because of my national origin.
I was terminated because of my race.
I was harassed by co-workers because of my age.
I was denied benefits because of my pregnancy.
Complaint Requirements
To submit an employment discrimination complaint to us, all of these requirements must be met:
The physical address you worked at must be within the state of Texas.
The company must have 15 or more employees.
The date of discrimination must have occurred within the last 180 days from the date you are submitting the complaint.
Your discrimination allegation must specify one or more of the following types: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability.
Your complaint must identify employment harm such as demotion, denial of promotion or termination.
To submit an employment discrimination complaint to us, all of these requirements must be met:
The physical address you worked at must be within the state of Texas.
The company must have 15 or more employees.
The date of discrimination must have occurred within the last 180 days from the date you are submitting the complaint.
Your discrimination allegation must specify one or more of the following types: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability.
Your complaint must identify employment harm such as demotion, denial of promotion or termination.
How to Submit a Complaint
You can submit an employment discrimination complaint to us by e-mail, by postal mail or in person (not by phone). You must submit your complaint within 180 days from the date of the discrimination.
When you submit a complaint, you will be required to sign a Confidentiality Statement agreeing that all documentation of the investigation will not be shared with anyone except your attorney.
We will send you an invitation to mediation or alternative dispute resolution in an effort to resolve your complaint. If you choose mediation (also known as alternative dispute resolution), you and the company representative will meet with a mediator. If your complaint is settled through mediation, it will be closed and our process concluded. If you decline mediation or the mediation fails, then your complaint will be assigned to an investigator.
You can submit an employment discrimination complaint to us by e-mail, by postal mail or in person (not by phone). You must submit your complaint within 180 days from the date of the discrimination.
When you submit a complaint, you will be required to sign a Confidentiality Statement agreeing that all documentation of the investigation will not be shared with anyone except your attorney.
We will send you an invitation to mediation or alternative dispute resolution in an effort to resolve your complaint. If you choose mediation (also known as alternative dispute resolution), you and the company representative will meet with a mediator. If your complaint is settled through mediation, it will be closed and our process concluded. If you decline mediation or the mediation fails, then your complaint will be assigned to an investigator.
Submit Complaint in Writing:
Download and print the Employment Discrimination Complaint form or.
If you will be using assistance in communication (for example, use of assistive technology or an interpreter), please include on your complaint form the name and contact information of the person who will be serving as your representative. We will contact you through this person.
Mail the completed form to:
Texas Workforce Commission
Civil Rights Division
101 E 15th St, Rm 144-T
Austin, TX 78778-0001
If you are sending supporting documents, be sure to send copies and keep your originals. We cannot return documents to you.
Submit Complaint in Person
You may submit a complaint in person at our office during business hours.
Texas Workforce Commission
Civil Rights Division
1117 Trinity St, Rm 144-T
Austin, TX 78701
Download and print the Employment Discrimination Complaint form or.
If you will be using assistance in communication (for example, use of assistive technology or an interpreter), please include on your complaint form the name and contact information of the person who will be serving as your representative. We will contact you through this person.
Mail the completed form to:
Texas Workforce Commission
Civil Rights Division
101 E 15th St, Rm 144-T
Austin, TX 78778-0001
If you are sending supporting documents, be sure to send copies and keep your originals. We cannot return documents to you.
Submit Complaint in Person
You may submit a complaint in person at our office during business hours.
Texas Workforce Commission
Civil Rights Division
1117 Trinity St, Rm 144-T
Austin, TX 78701
Required Information
As the party making the complaint, you are required to actively participate in the complaint process. You must include each of the following:
As the party making the complaint, you are required to actively participate in the complaint process. You must include each of the following:
Your full name, home address and home telephone number
The official company name, physical address where you worked for the employer and office telephone number
The Human Resources Supervisor/Director’s full name, address and telephone number
Whether the company has 15 or more employees (this can include other worksites besides the one where you worked)
Whether your treatment was because of your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability
A description of the employment harm such as demotion, denied hire, termination, denied benefits, etc.
If your address or phone number change during an investigation, you must notify your investigator immediately.
Your full cooperation is very important during the processing of your complaint, and failure to cooperate may result in a dismissal of your complaint.
My Two Cents:
(If you believe you have been discriminated against in anyway please make sure to file your complaint timely. Don't do what I did which was wait around completely oblivious to the time restrictions in place in Texas while pondering my next move. It appears the Republicans in Texas have done everything possible to restrict our ability to sue a business for violating our rights by limiting the days you can file suit and seek recourse.
There are Attorneys who can and will take your case "pro bono" meaning no monies up front as they will get paid when the case is settled.
Don't simply quit like some people. FILE A COMPLAINT. If you simply quit you are doing that business or that racist jackass of a boss a favor. Stand your ground. Be seen and heard. Let them know they can't violate your rights, lie to you like you're a poor employee while promoting the lazy, entitled jackass who happens to be white like them. You're not doing it just for yourself but for the many minorities who will no doubt come behind you. Take a stand.
Keep Notes.
Very detailed notes.
Of who is getting paid what and what their experience is as it relates to your experience.
Don't trust Human Resources (especially the HR at Wingspan Portfolio Advisors) to do what is right. They take their racist orders from the top and very often they too are racist. They are the "fox" hired to guard the Hen House so have all of your notes in order first.
File a complaint FIRST with the EEOC or the Texas WorkForce Commission and then go to the HR to let them know you feel you are being discriminated against.
Why?
Because businesses usually retaliate against employees who bring up discrimination claims because they sense trouble and they choose the easy way out which is usually to fire the person over some bogus reason.
So if you file a complaint with the EEOC "FIRST" any actions taken against you, whether they be sudden verbal and written reprimands, or a termination becomes a likely "Retaliatory Act" against you and the courts will look at that.
Don't be afraid.
The overwhelming number of discrimination cases filed never go to court and are usually settled outside of court depending on the strength of your notes, testimony and allegations. There is no way you can go wrong when you say "John has no experience and is getting paid more or was promoted" over you when you have "more" experience.
These companies and the guys who run them are not allowed to do what they want in terms of how they treat their employees. There are rules everywhere and there are specific rules and regulations that specifically bar discrimination and that provide recourse to the victims once it has been determined to have occurred.
If "YOU" don't stand up for "YOU".. "WHO" will?)
Wingspan Portfolio Advisors
