Why the rush? Well, because in certain states, Texas being one of them, there are TIME LIMITS on when a person can file a complaint. The state has set the time limit at 300 days from the date the first act of racism, discrimination, pay inequity, harassment etc. happened. If you wait until the 301st day, you will not be allowed to file a discrimination complaint.
I would like to dispel certain myths perpetrated by many employers in Texas. Managers and Middle Men at the company's direction will often tell employees that Texas is a right to work state. They say this as if to suggest employees do not have any rights. This is nothing more than an ignorant, bigoted, uninformed, redneck view of the right to work statute which is meant to mislead gullible employees. Look around. Texas employers are being sued by the EEOC/TWCCRD "Every Year" with many LOSING THEIR CASES IN COURT AND BEING FORCED TO PAY OUT DAMAGES. Texas is still under FEDERAL LAW which TRUMPS ALL STATE LAW. In the United States we have very strict anti-discrimination laws which all companies must abide by. Any state law that is found to "conflict" with Federal Law is immediately rendered Null and Void and Struck Down.
Don't let some half-assed manager who makes two cents more than you frighten you into believing you have no choice but to accept abusive treatment. THIS IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL! Assert your rights! If you do not use your rights or Exercise your rights you might as well not have any!
Discrimination Cases do not go to these racist, redneck, good ol'boy judges being elected here in Texas. Racism complaints "Automatically" go under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department in Washington, DC. The powers that be that created this system were very smart indeed. They knew in areas of the country where racial animosity and tensions historically have ran high, that people, the electorate would often elect Judges who shared their bigoted and racist views. For this reason, discrimination and racism lawsuits are filed with Federal Courts and the Federal Judges are "LIFE JUDGES" and are not beholden to elections. They are chosen by whomever is the current President of the United States at that time but regardless of the President's political affiliation, these judges tend to be fairer and to strictly look at the merits of the case without partiality. They are held to a much higher standard.
Just because you are in the South, or in Texas, a state that is known to often elect politicians who are hostile to employees and minorities both, you still have a very powerful voice as your case will go to Federal Court. But first you must file a complaint with the EEOC or TWCCRD. The law states that either the EEOC, which stands for U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, "or" the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division (TWCCRD) which enforces the Texas Commission on Human Rights. When you file your complaint with either one of these two entities it is automatically filed with the other one. they share information.
Not only does the EEOC and TWCCRD handle employment discrimination complaints but here's a list of others as well:
- Refused to rent to you or sell you housing;
- Told you housing was unavailable when in fact it was available;
- Showed you apartments or homes only in certain neighborhoods;
- Refused to provide you with information regarding mortgage loans, denied you a mortgage loan, or imposed different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan;
- Denied you property insurance;
- Conducted property appraisals in a discriminatory manner;
- Refused to make certain modifications or accommodations for persons with a mental or physical disability;
- Failed to design and construct housing in an accessible manner; or
- Harassed, coerced, intimidated or interfered with your fair housing rights with you assisting others in exercising their fair housing rights
To file an Employment Discrimination complaint, you may:
- Come to the TWCCRD office located at 1117 Trinity St., Room 144T, Austin, Texas, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. When you arrive at TWCCRD, you will meet with an Investigator who will discuss what is required to file a complaint, how the complaint will be investigated, and will assist you in preparing the complaint.
- Call the TWCCRD office at 1-512-463-2642 or 1-888-452-4778. An Investigator will discuss what is required to file a complaint, how the complaint will be investigated, and will assist you in preparing the complaint.
- Access the TWCCRD Intake Questionnaire Instructions and complete the Intake Questionnaire. Take the completed Intake Questionnaire to a Notary Public, sign and mail the notarized Intake Questionnaire to the TWCCRD. Keep a copy for your records.
To file a Housing Discrimination complaint, you may:
- Come to the TWCCRD office located at 1117 Trinity St., Room 144T, Austin, Texas, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. When you arrive at TWCCRD you will meet with an Investigator who will discuss what is required to file a complaint, how the complaint will be investigated, and will assist you in preparing the complaint.
- Call the TWCCRD office at 1-512-463-2642 or 1-888-452-4778. An Investigator will discuss what is required to file a complaint, how the complaint will be investigated, and will assist you in preparing the complaint.
- Write to TWCCRD at Civil Rights Division, 1117 Trinity St., Room 144-T, Austin, Texas 78701. Include the nature of your complaint and your contact information, including telephone number.
Link to EEOC Website:
http://www.eeoc.gov/
Link to TWCCRD Website:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/crd/file_emp.html