Ohio EEOC and OCRC Charge Lawyers

Most discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases in Ohio begin with a charge filed with a government agency: the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), or both. The charge is often the first formal account of your case that the employer sees, and what it says, and when it is filed, can shape everything that follows. Mansell Law prepares and files charges and represents Ohio employees through mediation, investigation and the lawsuit that may follow.

Which Agency, and When

• EEOC. Enforces federal laws including Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. In Ohio, a charge generally must be filed within 300 days of the discriminatory act.
• OCRC. Enforces Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112, which covers employers with four or more employees in Ohio. Since the Employment Law Uniformity Act took effect in 2021, an employee generally must file an OCRC charge before suing under Ohio law, and the deadline to file is two years, with limited exceptions.
• Both. The two agencies share charges under a worksharing arrangement, so a charge filed with one is often cross-filed with the other. Whether and how to dual-file is a strategic decision.

The Equal Pay Act is an exception: claims can go directly to court, generally within two years (three years for willful violations).

What Happens After a Charge Is Filed

1. Intake and filing. The charge identifies the employer, the protected characteristic or activity, and what happened.
2. Notice to the employer. The employer receives the charge and usually submits a written position statement.
3. Mediation. Both agencies offer voluntary mediation, and many cases resolve at this stage.
4. Investigation. The agency may request documents, interview witnesses and allow you to respond to the employer’s position.
5. Determination. The agency issues a finding or closes its file.
6. Right to sue. For federal claims, the EEOC issues a Notice of Right to Sue, and a lawsuit must be filed within 90 days. For Title VII and ADA claims, you can generally request the notice 180 days after filing. For age claims under the ADEA, you can generally sue 60 days after filing the charge.

Why Representation Matters at the Charge Stage

• The charge and your rebuttal become evidence. Inconsistencies can be used against you later.
• Agencies have heavy caseloads. A well-organized charge and response help your case get the attention it deserves.
• Mediation is often the best chance to resolve a case early, and preparation matters.
• Strategic timing can preserve both state and federal claims and protect against retaliation.

How Mansell Law Helps

We evaluate your claims, draft and file the charge, prepare your rebuttal to the employer’s position statement, represent you in mediation and interviews, and file suit in state or federal court when the agency process ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a charge?

No, but a lawyer can make sure the charge is complete, timely and consistent with the claims you may bring later.

Can my employer retaliate because I filed a charge?

Retaliation for filing a charge or participating in an investigation is separately unlawful under federal and Ohio law.

How long does the process take?

It varies widely, from a few months when a case settles in mediation to more than a year when a full investigation occurs.

Talk With an Ohio Employment Lawyer

Call Mansell Law at (614) 610-4134 for a free case evaluation, or use our contact form.

Related pages: Discrimination, Retaliation, Harassment, Disability Discrimination, Pregnancy Discrimination.