Filing A Charge Of Discrimination With The LCHR (Louisiana Commission on Human Rights)
About
What is the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR)?
Federal and Louisiana laws both protect employees from workplace discrimination. The role of the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR) is to enforce the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law, La. R.S. 23:301 et seq. To accomplish this purpose, the Commission uses distinct procedures for intake, investigation, mediation and determination to process official complaints of discrimination.
LCHR handles complaints of employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sickle cell trait, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of any of these qualities, you can file a claim with the LCHR. Louisiana employees who suffer discrimination on-the-job almost always have the right to seek compensatory damages, back pay, benefits, reinstatement, or front pay under La. R.S. 23:301.
LCHR also provides protection against discrimination in public accommodations and banking and lending practices.
Filing a Charge of Discrimination with the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR)
Filing a Charge of Discrimination with the LCHR
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All persons in Louisiana are protected against acts of unlawful discrimination by national and state laws. Anyone may file an official complaint with the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR). There is no fee for this service.
- When you file a charge of discrimination you are saying through a signed statement that an employer, union, or labor organization engaged in employment discrimination. Your claim requests the LCHR to take remedial action.
- Filing with the LCHR is not required to pursue a discrimination claim directly in court. If you do not have an attorney, however, you may wish to see whether the LCHR can assist you in resolving your claim without filing in court.
- LCHR complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date you believe you were discriminated against.
Before you file
Are you eligible to file a claim?
You must be a Louisiana state resident to file.
The last alleged act involving discrimination must have occurred within the past 180 days.
Pregnancy or childbirth claims: Your employer must have more than 25 employees
Race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sickle cell train: Your employer must have at least 20 employees
IMPORTANT!
If you are filing a claim because you feel you have been discriminated against due to your age, you must be 40 years of age or older.
How to file
Ways you can file
You can file an employment complaint by clicking here
You can file by mail by downloading, printing, and filling out the Public Accommodation Discrimination Intake Form (PADIF) found on the LCHR's link above. The LCHR offers a version of the PADIF in Spanish.
Mail this form to:
Office of the Governor
Louisiana Commission on Human Rights
P.O. Box 94094
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
You can file by mail by downloading, printing, and filling out the Public Accommodation Discrimination Intake Form (PADIF) found on the LCHR's link above. The LCHR offers a version of the PADIF in Spanish.
Bring this form to:
1001 N. 23rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
After you file
After you file a charge with the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR)
- LCHR will screen your claim to determine if it meets guidelines.
- If your claim meets guidelines, LCHR will send you an acceptance letter.
- If you return the form in the specified time, an LCHR intake officer will review all documents to determine eligibility. If eligibility is approved, you will be assigned an investigator for merit determination and recommendation.
- When a determination is established, a copy of the determination will be submitted to you and to the respondent. In cases of employment discrimination, LCHR will send a copy of the determination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
- Remedies are available for employment discrimination may include back pay, promotion, front pay, reinstatement, and reasonable accommodations.
- If LCHR finds “no violation of the statue” and subsequent review by the EEOC, a "right to sue" will be issued.