You must file a charge with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing, which has 11 offices throughout the state. Call 1(800) 884-1684 for the address of the office nearest to you. You should also call that number to set up an appointment with an intake officer. Prior to your interview, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire, detailing the incidents of discrimination you are complaining about.
If your charge is accepted, the DFEH will investigate it by contacting witnesses, the employer, and subpoenaing documents, if necessary. The DFEH will also offer an opportunity for the parties to conciliate, or attempt to settle the matter informally. If conciliation is unsuccessful, and the investigation concludes that it is probable that discrimination has occurred, the matter will be referred to the legal department of DFEH. Department lawyers have the discretion to litigate the case on your behalf before the Fair Employment & Housing Commission.
If Department attorneys decline to prosecute, or if you would rather litigate the case in civil court, you can obtain a right-to-sue letter from DFEH, which is essentially permission to proceed in court.
For further information, about the complaint process, or to get a copy of the pre-complaint questionnaire, visit the DFEH web site: http://www.dfeh.ca.gov/.
