How Does a Federal Employee File a Discrimination Complaint?

Full question:

I'm a USPS University employee that has received an prejudicial & unfair annual evaluation this week. My supervisor has accused me of several infractions that I have no knowledge of, however the blame has been placed on me anyway. This has all been written on my evaluation deeming me an inept, horrible & untrustworthy employee! Just last year I had a remarkable evaluation. Another manager in the department has been interfering between me and my supervisor for many months and is the root of the wrongful evaluation received this past week. Personal slanderous remarks have also been written. I have reported the incidents to Hr for quite some time, but they have proven to be no help. My position has now been reassigned to work for the undermining manager that has made no bones about disliking me. I have been accused and verbally disciplined in front of others. I'm harassed about too many things to count, nit-picking everything I do. the treatment of me and rules for me are different from everyone else's in the College. I have dealt with the discrimination of being singled out, harassment, wrongful discipline, defamation of character, and now the scarring of my career with this recent evaluation. This evaluation will permanently mark my career. I was told to file my complaints with the US Dept of Labor and they would assist me with legal representation. Is this true and if not, what can I do? I'm at my wits end and can't find a link on the usdol.com website that offers the proper information. My funds are very limited and I fear losing my job after 20 years with the FL USPS system.

• Category: Employment
• Subcategory: Discrimination
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Florida

Answer:

Employees in some cases sue former employers for libel (defamation in written form) or slander (defamation in oral form). A defamatory statement is one that harms a person's reputation by lowering his or her standing in the community or deterring others from associating with him or her. defamation exists when the statement is false, communicated to a third party, and no special privilege exists. Successful lawsuits have been based on statements in discharge letters and negative references to prospective employers. Truth is an absolute defense in any defamation lawsuit, and thus it is important that an employer always state truthful reasons for any termination. An employer is free to furnish information about an ex-employee as long as it isn't given maliciously or with the intent to harm the ex-employee. Employers cannot give out confidential or private data, such as medical records, and as long as any information given is for a proper purpose, the employer is protected from being sued for defamation The information provided must be only true factual statements about the employee's performance.

However, an employer could be held legally liable if any false information was provided, especially if it is disparaging or accuses an employee of criminal behavior or immoral conduct, unless the employer believed in good faith that the information was true.

Legal remedies for workplace treatment are based on certain protected categories of discrimination or a union or employment contract term. Generally, it is not illegal for a person to be a difficult person to deal with and unfair treatment must be based on one of the protected categories to be able to sue. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran is prohibited by titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the Pregnancy Act of 1975, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1978, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and other federal and state statutes and regulations. This policy applies to all programs, services, and facilities, and includes, but is not limited to, applications, admissions, access to programs and services, and employment.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in broad areas of the employment relationship. It applies to most employers engaged in interstate commerce with more than 15 employees, labor organizations, and employment agencies. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e, et seq., prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion. It also is unlawful under the Act for an employer to take retaliatory action against any individual for opposing employment practices made unlawful by Title VII or for filing a discrimination charge or for testifying or assisting or participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under Title VII. Sex includes pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. It makes it illegal for employers to discriminate in hiring, discharging, compensation, or terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Employment agencies may not discriminate when hiring or referring applicants. Labor organizations are also prohibited from basing membership or union classifications on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of age. The prohibited practices are nearly identical to those outlined in Title VII. An employee is protected from discrimination based on age if he or she is over 40. The ADEA contains explicit guidelines for benefit, pension and retirement plans.

It is possible for an employee to file a discrimination complaint with the EEOC. Anyone who feels that he or she has suffered workplace discrimination because of his or her race, age, physical disability, religion, sex, or national origin is eligible to file a complaint with the EEOC. Complaints or charges are generally filed at an EEOC office by the aggrieved party or by his or her designated agent. All charges must be filed in writing, preferably but not necessarily on the appropriate EEOC form, within 180 days of the occurrence of the act that is the reason the complaint is being filed. Complaints may be filed at any one of 50 district, area, local, and field EEOC offices throughout the United States.

After a complaint is filed, the EEOC then undertakes an investigation of the charge. If the investigation shows reasonable cause to believe that discrimination occurred, the Commission launches conciliation efforts. The reaching of an agreement between the two parties signals closure of the case. If such an agreement cannot be reached, the EEOC has the option of filing suit in court or the aggrieved party may file suit on his or her own. If no violation of Title VII is found, the EEOC removes itself from the case, though the party charging discrimination is still free to file suit in court within a specified time.

The elements of proof will vary depending on the exact factual circumstances. Generally, there are two types of proof of discrimination. The first is direct evidence of the employer’s discriminatory intent. This type of evidence is very rare, but usually takes the form of oral statements that the prospective employee is "too old" or "there is too much gray hair in this company." Once the prospective employee has shown direct evidence of discrimination, the burden of proof shifts to the employer to prove that it would have taken the adverse action even without the discriminatory intent. In most cases, however, the prospective employee does not have direct evidence and must rely on indirect, or circumstantial, evidence. This typically involves proof that a pattern of discrimination exists through the use of statistical analysis, or providing circumstantial evidence that discrimination occurred.

Please see also:

http://eeo21.com/Fed_EEO_formal.html
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Supreme+Court+backs+workers+filing+bias+suits.(News)-a0179475191