Legal Question in Business Law in Washington

Re: Sexual Harassment

If you want to file a complaint through the EEOC or the Washington Human Rights Commission, this must be done within 180 days of the occurrence that prompts the complaint. If the agency decides not to proceed on your complaint, you may then file suit under federal and/or state law.

Under federal law, you cannot sue unless you first file an EEOC complaint within the required time.

You may file suit under state law (Washington Law Against Discrimination) within three years of the occurrence, even if you do not file with WHRC within the 180 days.

(Sexual harassment is considered a gender based form of discrimination.)