How to File an Employment Discrimination Claim During a Government Shutdown
Experiencing discrimination at work can be deeply unsettling, especially when it feels like the system designed to protect your rights is on pause. The federal government and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) are closed. Yet your life and your right to take action if you’ve been wrongfully terminated cannot wait. Your allotted time to file a charge is still ticking, and if you miss your window, your claims may be forever lost. Filing a discrimination claim promptly is essential.
At Espy Law, we support individuals in Jackson and throughout Mississippi, helping ensure that critical deadlines are met even during federal interruptions. Working with an employment attorney ensures your filing is completed correctly and on time, no matter what obstacles arise.
Understanding the EEOC’s Filing Process
The EEOC provides clear instructions for employees who need to file discrimination claims. Under federal law, if you have been mistreated based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information, you typically have 180 days from the date of the discriminatory act to file a charge with the EEOC. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your ability to pursue justice.
The Urgent Reality of the Shutdown
With the EEOC closed, in-person visits and intake interviews are suspended. This can create the false impression that no action can be taken, leaving workers vulnerable to missing statutory deadlines.
Furthermore, the government closure is creating a massive backlog of cases. When operations resume, EEOC employees will have to catch up on the accumulated work before they can turn their attention to your case and the influx of new cases filed during and after the shutdown. The longer you wait, the longer you’ll wait.
Lastly, time erodes your case. Witness memories fade and evidence disappears with each passing day. Documentation gets lost, employees move on, and the details that could strengthen your claim become harder to reconstruct.
Filing Your Claim During a Shutdown
You don’t have to wait until the government reopens to file your claim. At Espy Law, we can get your claim on file with the EEOC despite the unprecedented government shutdown. We electronically submit charges even when physical offices are closed. This electronic submission acts as your official filing date and ensures the EEOC treats it as timely once normal operations restart.
By filing now, we essentially reserve your place in line so that you don’t have to wait as long for the EEOC to turn to your case when the government reopens. While others are scrambling to file after the shutdown ends, your claim will already be in the system.
Reach out to our team today for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.
The Additional Value of Legal Representation
Legal representation offers far more than help with meeting filing deadlines. Attorneys understand the nuances of employment law and can ensure your claim is clear, factual, and legally sound. Once the EEOC resumes operations, your attorney can handle communication, respond to requests, and negotiate potential settlements on your behalf.
Espy Law provides contingency-based representation, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless compensation is recovered. Our lawyers are committed to helping employees across Mississippi pursue accountability and fair treatment in the workplace.
When to Seek Help from an Employment Attorney
If you believe you have been discriminated against, do not wait until after a shutdown to act. Federal deadlines are strict, and even short delays can jeopardize your case. Our employment discrimination attorney can evaluate your claim, preserve the filing date electronically, and ensure every step meets EEOC standards.
To learn more about our approach to employment discrimination claims, visit our attorney profile and explore our commitment to protecting Mississippi workers.
Upholding Workplace Fairness in Mississippi
A government shutdown should never block your path to justice. At Espy Law, we help employees in Jackson and across Mississippi safeguard their rights and pursue fair outcomes in discrimination cases. Our firm ensures that claims are properly filed and preserved, regardless of administrative delays. If you have faced workplace discrimination, contact us today to schedule your free consultation and let our team help you move toward a resolution.
