What is the difference between EEOC and DFEH?
William Burgess
Updated on March 19, 2026
What is the difference between EEOC and DFEH?
The EEOC is the federal civil rights agency that enforces federal civil rights law. The DFEH is the state civil rights agency that enforces California civil rights law. EEOC only accepts complaints if the employer has 15 or more employees. DFEH accepts complaints if the employer has 5 or more employees.
What does DFEH stand for?
Department of Fair Employment and Housing
The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is the institutional centerpiece of California’s broad anti-discrimination and hate crimes policy.
Who is in charge of DFEH?
Kevin Kish
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1959 |
| Type | Civil rights |
| Headquarters | 2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100 Elk Grove, California 9575838.4281°N 121.4833°WCoordinates:38.4281°N 121.4833°W |
| Agency executive | Kevin Kish, Director |
How long do I have to file a DFEH complaint?
In employment cases, you must do this within three years of the date you were harmed. In most other cases, you must do this within one year of the date you were harmed. In employment cases only, you must obtain from DFEH a Right-to-Sue notice before filing your own lawsuit in court.
What is the difference between Feha and Dfeh?
The EEO is a federal agency while DFEH is a state agency. Both agencies administer and enforce discrimination laws against employers. Generally, employees are advised to seek legal counsel if there has been a violation of discrimination laws.
Can I sue my employer for creating a hostile work environment?
Can I sue my employer for creating a hostile work environment? Yes, you can sue your employer for creating a hostile workplace. Employees have a right to work in a professional environment free from harassment. Keep in mind that anyone can create a hostile work environment, not just your boss.
What is the role of the DFEH?
The mission of the DFEH is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, businesses, and state-funded programs, and from bias-motivated violence and human trafficking.
What does the Unruh Act apply to?
The Unruh Act applies to all businesses in California including: hotels and motels, restaurants, theaters, hospitals, barber and beauty shops, housing accommodations, and retail establishments. The law was enacted in 1959 and was named for its author, Jesse M. Unruh.
How long does it take to get a right to sue letter from the DFEH?
Usually, you must obtain a right-to-sue letter from the DFEH within one year of the adverse employment action. Once the letter is issued, the employee has a limited number of days to file suit in a court of law. So, if you rushed out and got your own right-to-sue letter, you need to find a lawyer ASAP!
Can I sue DFEH?
To file a lawsuit under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), you must file a complaint and obtain a Right-to-Sue notice from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).
What is the role of the Dfeh?
Can I sue my employer for stress and anxiety in California?
Under both California and federal employment laws, workers are protected from undue stress, harassment, negligence and unsafe working environments. So, yes you can sue your employer for workplace stress under certain circumstances.
What is the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)?
Educating Californians about our civil rights laws is one of the primary goals of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), in order to help ensure everyone is aware of their rights and obligations, and to help prevent discrimination from even occurring.
What does the DFEH do?
The mission of the DFEH is to protect people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations (businesses) and from hate violence and human trafficking in accordance to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Persons Act, and Ralph Civil Rights Act.
When does DFEH file a request for enforcement of court order?
August 16, 2021 – DFEH Files Request for Enforcement of Court Order Compelling Riot Games, Inc. to Send Notice to Workers about their Right to Speak with the Government. View press release (PDF) Get the latest information about the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) from our DFEH News page.
What does the California Department of employment and Human Rights do?
The mission of the DFEH is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, businesses, and state-funded programs, and from bias-motivated violence and human trafficking. September 7, 2021 – New release: DFEH’s September newsletter.
