Ohio Civil Rights Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC represents businesses and individuals before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission ("OCRC")and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) in the State of Ohio. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is a state agency established by the Ohio Legislature. The powers, duties, jurisdiction, practices and procedures of the Commission are specified in the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 4112. The primary function of The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is to enforce state laws against discrimination. OCRC receives and investigates charges of discrimination in employment, places of public accommodation, housing, credit, and disability in higher education on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, military status or familial status. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits. The EEOC has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law. If the EEOC finds that discrimination has occurred, they will attempt to settle the charge of discrimination. If the EEOC cannot settle the charge of discrimination, they have the authority to file a lawsuit to protect the rights of individuals and the interests of the public.

Ohio Civil Rights Commission

According to the OCRC, to initiate the complaint process with the OCRC as an employee (or former employee), a charge affidavit must be filed with the OCRC detailing the nature of the complaint as well as the laws allegedly violated. At that point, the OCRC will contact the employee and the company to ascertain whether the parties want to attempt to mediate the dispute to see if an informal resolution can be reached on the allegations set forth in the charge of discrimination filed with the OCRC. If the parties do not agree to mediate or a settlement is not reached at mediation, the matter will move to an investigation by the OCRC. At this time, the employer will be asked to provide a position statement, addressing the allegations raised in the charge affidavit. Once the OCRC investigator receives the Employer’s position statement the information is reviewed. The employee will have the opportunity to respond and provide any additional information to support the allegations of discrimination including witness statements, documentation or other information/evidence.

Throughout this process the investigator may request additional information/documentation, contact witnesses or conduct an on-site meeting at the Respondent’s place of business in order to gather factual information about the case. Based on analyses of the information collected, the OCRC will issue a written recommendation as to whether there is a violation of Ohio’s Laws Against Discrimination. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission has one year to complete the investigation. If either party does not agree with the recommendation they may appeal the finding via reconsideration. Either party can appeal the investigator's recommendation through the OCRC’s reconsideration process.

Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC represents individuals and business through every phase of the OCRC process. If you have any questions about the OCRC process or want to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION to determine whether you have a claim that may be filed with the OCRC, Please contact Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC at (330) 494-4877 or by e-mail at jcollum@collumlawoffice.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The EEOC operates in somewhat of a similar manner as the OCRC. The EEOC is a federal agency and the OCRC is a state agency. According to the EEOC, if you believe that you have been discriminated against at work because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information, you can file a Charge of Discrimination. All of the laws enforced by EEOC, except for the Equal Pay Act, require you to file a Charge of Discrimination with the EEOC before you can file a job discrimination lawsuit against your employer. In addition, an individual, organization, or agency may file a charge on behalf of another person in order to protect the aggrieved person's identity. There are time limits for filing a charge.

Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC has represented a number of individuals and business through all phases of the EEOC. Wherever you are in the complaint process with the EEOC or the OCRC, contact Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC for a FREE CONSULTATION at (330) 494-4877 or by e-mail at jcollum@collumlawoffice.com. Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC would be happy to discuss your rights and your case with you and advise you if he can represent you with your claim before either agency.

Law Office of James. J. Collum, LLC represents individuals and businesses with their claims before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Comimision in cities all over Northeast Ohio including, but not limited to, the cities of Canton, Akron, Alliance, Canal Fulton, Massillon, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Fairlawn, Green, Macedonia, Munroe Falls, New Franklin, Norton, Stow, Tallmadge, Twinsburg, Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro, Aurora, Brunswick, Medina, Rittman, Wadsworth, Dover, New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville, Orrville, Wooster, Columbiana, East Liverpool and Salem.