If you live in Missouri and you have enough evidence to file a discrimination claim against your employer, you should file your claim at the St. Louis District EEOC office or the Area EEOC Office located in Kansas City, Kansas.
The EEOC office where you should file a discrimination claim depends on where your employer operates. For example, workers of an employer in Kirksville, MO should file a discrimination claim at the St. Louis EEOC office.
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, all contact with the EEOC is done by phone. The EEOC has made scheduling a phone interview easy by creating a public portal.
All you have to do is log in and then find a time that is convenient for you to participate in a phone interview with a representative from the EEOC. If the deadline for contacting the EEOC is fast approaching, you can call 1-800-669-4000 to schedule a phone interview.
What Does the EEOC Do?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forms the foundation of anti-discrimination laws in the United States. The historic discrimination law gives the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) the power to enforce all federal discrimination statutes.
According to EEOC guidelines, it is unlawful for employers to discriminate against workers based on factors such as age, race, and national origin. Federally implemented discrimination statutes apply to employers that have a minimum of 15 workers on their payrolls.
A crucial part of the EEOC claim filing process is to know the answer to the question, “How many days do you have to contact the EEOC office in either St. Louis or Kansas City.” The answer is 180 calendar days unless Missouri discrimination statutes are similar to the anti-discrimination statutes passed at the federal level. Then, you have 300 calendar days to get in touch with the EEOC.
Where to File an EEOC Claim in Missouri
St. Louis District Office
Robert A. Young Federal Building
1222 Spruce St., Rm 8.100
St. Louis, MO 63103
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Phone: (314) 539-7800
Director: Lloyd J. (Jack) Vasquez, Jr.
Regional Attorney: Andrea Baran
Kansas City Area Office
Gateway Tower II
400 State Ave., Suite 905
Kansas City, KS 66101
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Phone: (913) 551-5655
Director: Natascha DeGuire
Regional Attorney: Andrea Baran
Missouri Employment Laws
The Missouri Human Rights Act forbids employers to discriminate against workers because of the following factors:
- Age (40 through 69 years old)
- Sex
- Race
- Color
- Ancestry
- Disability
- Religion
- National origin
Sexual harassment falls under the category of sex discrimination. Employers cannot harass workers based on any of the other factors as well. Missouri law also prohibits retaliation against workers for filing a complaint and/or participating in an investigation into harassment in the workplace.
You can file a discrimination claim against your employer by contacting the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR). Missouri discrimination in the workplace laws covers employers that have at least six workers.
This means that if your employer has between six and 14 employees, you should file a discrimination claim with the MCHR.
Contact a Missouri Employment Lawyer
Before you contact the EEOC to schedule a phone interview, speak with a Missouri employment attorney. Your lawyer can coach you on how to participate in a telephone interview with a representative of the EEOC.
A phone interview provides you with just one opportunity to present evidence, which means you need to organize the evidence you have collected with the help of a Missouri employment attorney.
