Experiencing harassment at work can feel stressful and overwhelming. You might wonder what steps to take or how long you have to report the harassment. In Colorado, the filing period depends on the agency or process you choose. Understanding these rules can help you make informed decisions and preserve your legal options.
Federal and state filing deadlines
If you choose to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you generally have 300 days from the date of the harassment to submit your charge. The EEOC handles complaints involving discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, religion, age or disability.
Colorado’s Civil Rights Division (CCRD) also accepts employment discrimination and harassment complaints. Like the EEOC, the CCRD generally allows 300 days from the date of the alleged harassment to file a charge. Many people submit charges to both agencies through a process called dual filing. The agencies often coordinate their investigations, which can help satisfy both federal and state filing requirements.
If you miss the filing deadline, you may lose the right to pursue certain claims. The filing period usually begins on the date of the most recent harassing incident. In some cases involving ongoing harassment, the deadline may be calculated differently.
Internal reporting considerations
Government agencies are not your only reporting option. Most employers also have internal procedures for handling harassment complaints. Company policies may set their own reporting process and encourage employees to notify the employer as soon as possible.
Reporting the harassment to your employer does not replace filing with a government agency, but it can create an important record of what happened. It also gives your employer a chance to investigate the complaint and address the problem. Many employers assign human resources staff or other designated employees to handle harassment complaints. Your employee handbook can explain your company’s reporting procedures.
The importance of prompt action
Although the law provides time to file a complaint, acting sooner often helps. Witnesses may forget important details or become unavailable. You may also have a harder time finding emails, text messages and notes about the incidents. Reporting the harassment early can make evidence easier to preserve and evaluate.
Protecting your rights at the workplace
Understanding Colorado’s reporting rules helps you make informed decisions after facing workplace harassment. You generally have 300 days to file an employment harassment complaint with either the EEOC or the CCRD. Your employer may also have its own reporting procedures. Acting promptly can help preserve evidence, protect your legal options and support a more effective response to workplace harassment.