Workplace discrimination: which employer-size rule applies
Who this is for / requirements to check
- For private employers, EEOC's race, color, religion, sex, national-origin, disability and genetic-information laws generally require 15 employees for 20 calendar weeks in this or the preceding year. Source: EEOC private-employer coverage
- The private-employer age-discrimination coverage threshold is generally 20 employees for 20 weeks. Source: EEOC private-employer coverage
Documents to prepare
This is a preparation list. Confirm which items the program requires and what alternatives it accepts.
- Employer name and approximate workforce size
- Dated incident and employment-decision timeline
- Messages, policies and witness information
- Prior complaints and responses
Exceptions & conditions
- Virtually all employers are covered by the Equal Pay Act. Other employer types and state laws require separate coverage analysis. Source: EEOC private-employer coverage
Questions to ask
- Is the employer private, governmental or federal?
- What protected reason is connected to the treatment?
- What date did the employment action occur?
Next steps
- Contact EEOC promptly to check coverage and filing requirements.
- Describe conduct and dates rather than assuming every unfair action is unlawful.
- Preserve notices and communications.
Official application or process instructions · Save to Research / source details
Employer size is only one coverage issue; it does not prove discrimination or calculate a filing deadline.
County routing: Greene County. Check the county contacts in this guide; program rules and service areas may differ. A local listing does not establish open intake or eligibility.
Source capture and review status
EEOC private-employer coverage — General coverage, age discrimination and equal pay
Source checked: 2026-10-12. Capture: retrieved. No professional legal review recorded.
SHA-256: cf18d8384ad93a79cf6d9b93f6f88ddcb6462087f189d82bf4b668d986f22fb1