EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION - CIVIL RIGHTS LAW

The Employment Litigation Section

The Employment Litigation Section enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - the federal civil rights law prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion and national origin - with respect to state and local government employers.

The Section seeks to achieve Title VII compliance through litigation, outreach, and technical assistance. In our cases, we challenge many types of discriminatory employment practices, including, for example, hiring and promotional tests that cause unlawful disparate impact, and disparate treatment like harassment, discipline and discharge.

Many of our cases involve police agencies, fire departments and departments of correction. The Section also enforces other federal laws, executive orders, and regulations prohibiting employment practices that discriminate on grounds of race, sex, religion, and national origin. Finally, the Section issues right-to-sue notices upon request to individuals who have filed EEOC charges against state and local government employers. Through these efforts the Section seeks to help give life to our national promise of equal employment opportunity for all Americans.

The Employment Litigation Section

The Employment Litigation Section initiates cases in two ways:

First, the Section sometimes files suits based on individual charges of employment discrimination under Title VII that have been referred to the Department of Justice by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Individuals who believe that they have been the victims of employment discrimination should contact the EEOC.

The second way the Department of Justice enforces Title VII is through the Attorney General's authority to file a lawsuit where there is reason to believe that a state or local government is engaged in a "pattern or practice" of employment discrimination. Generally, these are cases that seek to alter an employment policy or practice - such as recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion, and discipline - that has the purpose or effect of denying job opportunities to a large number of individuals on the basis of their race, sex, religion, or national origin.

» READ MORE

» FAQ - Frequently asked questions (also, specific FAQs on right to sue)