Where Employees Can Report Workplace Concerns by State
Alternatives and complements to the EEOC
Not every workplace issue should go through the EEOC and in many cases, it shouldn’t.
Employees often face problems related to pay, safety, retaliation, leave, or hostile work environments that are handled by state labor departments, civil rights agencies, or federal regulators like OSHA and the Department of Labor. Choosing the wrong agency or missing a deadline can delay or weaken your case.
This guide explains where employees can report workplace concerns by state, including discrimination, wage and hour violations, safety complaints, retaliation, and whistleblower issues. It also explains how to document what’s happening before you report, so you stay protected no matter which path you choose.
Want Support Before or Alongside Reporting? How Caged Bird HR Can Help
Caged Bird HR can help you:
Understand which agency handles their specific issue
Clarify timelines, risks, and next steps before reporting
Prepare for internal HR conversations or investigations
Identify signs of retaliation or escalation risk
Navigate exits, accommodations, or transitions when staying is no longer safe
Make sense of complex situations involving pay, performance, leave, or workplace conflict
State Agencies That Handle Workplace Complaints
Most states have their own civil rights or human rights agency, often called a Fair Employment Practices Agency. These agencies enforce state anti-discrimination laws and frequently offer longer filing deadlines and broader worker protections than federal law.
Filing with a state agency may also automatically dual-file your complaint with the EEOC, preserving your federal rights without requiring two separate filings.
Below, you’ll find a complete state-by-state chart with direct filing links and deadlines.
| State | Agency | File Here | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No FEPA (EEOC handles) | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Alaska | Alaska Commission on Human Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Arizona | AZ Attorney General – Civil Rights Division | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Arkansas | EEOC | File Complaint | 180 days |
| California | Civil Rights Department (CRD) | File Complaint | 3 years (post-2020) |
| Colorado | CO Civil Rights Division | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Connecticut | CHRO | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Delaware | Office of Anti-Discrimination | File Complaint | 300 days |
| DC | Office of Human Rights | File Complaint | 1 year |
| Florida | FL Commission on Human Relations | File Complaint | 365 days |
| Georgia | GA Commission on Equal Opportunity | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Hawaii | HI Civil Rights Commission | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Idaho | Idaho Human Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Illinois | IL Dept. of Human Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Indiana | IN Civil Rights Commission | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Iowa | Iowa Civil Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Kansas | KS Human Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Kentucky | KY Commission on Human Rights | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Louisiana | LA Commission on Human Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Maine | Maine Human Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Maryland | MD Commission on Civil Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Massachusetts | MCAD | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Michigan | MI Dept. of Civil Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Minnesota | MN Dept. of Human Rights | File Complaint | 1 year |
| Mississippi | MS Dept. of Employment Security | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Missouri | MO Commission on Human Rights | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Montana | MT Human Rights Bureau | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Nebraska | NE Equal Opportunity Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Nevada | NV Equal Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| New Hampshire | NH Commission for Human Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| New Jersey | NJ Division on Civil Rights | File Complaint | 180 days |
| New Mexico | NM Human Rights Bureau | File Complaint | 300 days |
| New York | NY Division of Human Rights | File Complaint | 3 years |
| North Carolina | NC Civil Rights Division | File Complaint | 180 days |
| North Dakota | ND Dept. of Labor & Human Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Ohio | OH Civil Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Oklahoma | OK Attorney General – Civil Rights | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Oregon | OR Bureau of Labor & Industries | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Pennsylvania | PA Human Relations Commission | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Rhode Island | RI Commission for Human Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| South Carolina | SC Human Affairs Commission | File Complaint | 180 days |
| South Dakota | SD Division of Human Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Tennessee | TN Human Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Texas | TX Workforce Commission – Civil Rights | File Complaint | 180 days |
| Utah | UT Antidiscrimination & Labor Division | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Vermont | VT Attorney General – Civil Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Virginia | VA Office of Civil Rights | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Washington | WA Human Rights Commission | File Complaint | 300 days |
| West Virginia | WV Human Rights Commission | File Complaint | 365 days |
| Wisconsin | WI Equal Rights Division | File Complaint | 300 days |
| Wyoming | WY Dept. of Workforce Services | File Complaint | 180 days |
Legal Disclaimer
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Wrk Receipts and Caged Bird HR do not provide legal representation or file complaints for you. Laws, deadlines, and rights vary by jurisdiction, and employees may wish to consult a qualified employment attorney regarding their specific situation.