CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Discrimination. Harassment. Hostile workplace. Some of you have accused your employer of these. But only a handful of those who do, win.
So far this year, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission resolved 1,879 cases. Of those, only 243 workers won. That's 12.9 percent.
One Charlotte worker, Gregory Miller, graduated West Point and has a master's degree in business. He says his former boss gave him menial jobs, passed him over for promotions, and worse. "Actually slapping me on the arm. Slandering my name around the office," he said.
He complained, and was eventually fired. His former company sent him a termination letter, saying he had been disruptive and "created an environment that is not productive for fellow employees and the operations of the department." So he filed a claim with the EEOC.
Action 9's Jason Stoogenke asked the EEOC's Charlotte director, Reuben Daniels, Jr., how to strengthen your case. He says, have witnesses who can back up your accusations; names of co-workers who you think were treated better than you; and emails, voicemails, texts or even photos that support your claim. Plus, don't feel you have to try to work things out with your workplace first.
When Stoogenke asked, "It's not a deal-breaker if they come to you first because they don't feel comfortable going through their own chain of command?" Daniels replied, "Absolutely not."
Miller lost his EEOC case. So he took his former employer to court, where he didn't fare much better. The federal district court judge threw out his case. The federal appeals court then shot down most of his arguments. He's appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Even if the Court agrees to hear the appeal, and says Miller deserves a trial, the whole process is much longer and more costly than had he won at the EEOC.
Filing a complaint with the EEOC is free. And, if you win, it doesn't keep any of the money. To file a complaint, click here.