What is a "Charge of Discrimination?"

This week’s legal term of the week is “Charge of Discrimination.”  A charge of discrimination is a formal written complaint that a worker is required to file before filing a lawsuit claiming prohibited discrimination on the job.  In Virginia, this charge must be filed with either the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Virginia Council on Human Rights.  It must be filed within 300 days of the prohibited job discrimination, that is, different treatment based on race, religion, national origin, age (if 40 or older), gender or disability. The charge usually is investigated within 180 days.