There are no district offices in Iowa, but you may file a claim with the Illinois district office in Chicago.
Please note that due to COVID-19, the Chicago office cannot be visited in person and all claim interviews are being done by telephone. To schedule an appointment, please call or email your local EEOC office or use the EEOC Public Portal.
What Does the EEOC Do?
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, was established to prevent discriminatory practices in American workplaces. It investigates allegations of employment discrimination and has authority over the following:
- U.S. employers with at least 15 employees (For age discrimination cases, must be at least 20 employees)
- Employment agencies
- Labor unions
If the EEOC finds that an Iowa workplace is treating its employees in a discriminatory manner, it can order corrective measures. If the company in question does not cooperate, the EEOC can commence litigation.
How Do You Contact the EEOC?
If you are experiencing workplace discrimination in Iowa, you can contact the EEOC in the following ways:
- Online at the EEOC Public Portal
- In person at your nearest EEOC office
- By phone at 1-800-669-4000
- Sending mail to your closest EEOC office
EEOC Office Information in Iowa
Chicago District Office
- JCK Federal Building
- 230 S Dearborn Street
- Chicago, IL 60604
- Office Hours: M-F 8:30 AM-4:00 PM
- Director: Julianne Bowman
- Regional Attorney: Gregory M. Gochanour
How Many Days Do You Have to Contact the EEOC Office?
In Iowa, you have up to 300 calendar days to file a charge against your employer for workplace discrimination. You can do this through the EEOC or through the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, which cooperates with the EEOC to process claims.
Iowa State Employment Laws
Under the Iowa Civil Rights Act, employers may not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (18 or older) national origin, religion, disability, or pregnancy.
Some cities have local ordinances that provide even broader protections. State law also makes it illegal to retaliate against a person because they have lawfully opposed any discriminatory practices.
The Iowa Wage Payment Collection Act prohibits the deduction of non-permissible expenses like cash shortages in a till, tips or gratuities received by the employee, lost or stolen property, and protective equipment.
It also prohibits your employer from withholding your wages because they think they have a claim against you.
Next Steps to Take
If you want to file a workplace discrimination claim in Iowa, you may so so through the EEOC or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, which is a Fair Employment Practice Agency (FEPA). Tribal Employment Rights Offices are also empowered to investigate discrimination charges.
If you have been denied employment or access to career-advancing opportunities because of your sex, color, age, or another protected characteristic, an employment law attorney can advise you of your rights and assist you in filing a claim with the EEOC or its FEPA here in the state. You deserve to be treated fairly on the job, and if you aren’t, the EEOC can step in.
