FEPA Discrimination Charge and Right-to-Sue Procedure — Wisconsin

FEPA Discrimination Charge and Right-to-Sue Procedure (WISCONSIN)

Quick-Reference Summary

Part A — Pre-Filing Eligibility Memo

MEMORANDUM — PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL

TO: File — [CLIENT NAME]
FROM: [ATTORNEY NAME], Wis. State Bar No. [________]
DATE: [__/__/____]
RE: Pre-Filing Eligibility Analysis — ERD Complaint under WFEA

1. Client and Employer Identification

2. Coverage Analysis

☐ Employer has 1+ employees (WFEA — § 111.32(6)) — virtually always satisfied
☐ Employer has 15+ employees (Title VII / ADA)
☐ Employer has 20+ employees (ADEA)
☐ Complainant is an "employee" (not independent contractor)
☐ Wisconsin work nexus
☐ Federal claims preserved for punitive / emotional-distress damages

3. Protected Class and Adverse Action

4. Statute of Limitations (300 Days)

☐ Continuing-violation doctrine for hostile environment
☐ Equitable tolling / discovery-rule analysis
☐ Federal 300-day SOL also satisfied

5. Remedies Comparison

6. Forum Strategy

☐ ERD only — make-whole administrative relief; no court fee
☐ ERD + EEOC dual-filed — preserve federal remedies
☐ EEOC + federal court — pursue compensatory/punitive damages
☐ Withdraw ERD and pursue EEOC RTSL + federal court (after 60-day notice under DWD 218.04(4))
☐ Local ordinance (Madison Equal Opportunities Commission, Milwaukee, etc.) for broader protections

7. Recommendation

[ATTORNEY RECOMMENDATION — file ERD complaint; dual-file EEOC; preserve federal claims for compensatory and punitive damages; counsel client on bifurcated forum strategy.]

Part B — Complaint of Discrimination (ERD Filing)

STATE OF WISCONSIN
DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
EQUAL RIGHTS DIVISION
201 E. WASHINGTON AVE., ROOM A100
P.O. BOX 8928, MADISON, WI 53708-8928

COMPLAINT — FAIR EMPLOYMENT ACT
(ERD-4206)
ERD Case No. CR[__________] (employment)
EEOC Charge No. [__________] (cross-filed)

1. Parties

2. Basis(es) of Discrimination (check all that apply — § 111.321)

☐ Age (40+)
☐ Arrest record
☐ Conviction record (note: § 111.335 substantial-relationship defense)
☐ Ancestry
☐ Color
☐ National origin
☐ Race
☐ Creed (religion)
☐ Disability
☐ Genetic testing
☐ Honesty testing
☐ Marital status
☐ Military service
☐ Pregnancy or childbirth
☐ Sex (including sexual harassment under § 111.36)
☐ Sexual orientation
☐ Use or nonuse of lawful products off-premises
☐ Declining to attend a meeting or communication on political/religious matters
☐ Retaliation (§ 111.322(3))

3. Action(s) Complained Of (§ 111.322)

☐ Refusal to hire / recruit
☐ Termination / discharge
☐ Layoff
☐ Failure to promote
☐ Pay / benefits discrimination
☐ Job assignment / transfer
☐ Discipline
☐ Training denial
☐ Licensing denial
☐ Union membership denial
☐ Harassment
☐ Failure to accommodate (disability, religion, pregnancy)
☐ Other: [DESCRIBE]

4. Date of Most Recent Discrimination

Date of most recent discriminatory act / awareness: [__/__/____]
Date of filing: [__/__/____]
Days elapsed: [____] (must be ≤ 300 under § 111.39(1))

5. Statement of Facts

I, [COMPLAINANT NAME], state:

1. I am a member of the following protected class(es): [LIST].

2. I was employed by Respondent from [__/__/____] to [__/__/____] as a [TITLE] in Respondent's [LOCATION] facility. My supervisor was [NAME, TITLE].

3. I met or exceeded Respondent's legitimate performance expectations, as evidenced by [PERFORMANCE EVIDENCE].

4. On or about [__/__/____], [DESCRIBE FIRST ACT — facts; identify decision-maker; quote statements].

5. On or about [__/__/____], [DESCRIBE SUBSEQUENT ACTS].

6. On or about [__/__/____], Respondent took the following adverse employment action: [TERMINATION / etc.]. The stated reason was [STATED REASON].

7. Respondent's stated reason is pretextual. The true reason was my [PROTECTED CLASS]. Evidence includes:
   - Direct statements by [DECISION-MAKER]: [QUOTE];
   - Comparators outside the class who were treated more favorably: [NAMES];
   - Temporal proximity to protected activity: [DESCRIBE];
   - Shifting reasons: [LIST];
   - Departure from policy: [DESCRIBE];
   - Statistical pattern: [DESCRIBE].

8. As a direct and proximate result, I have suffered lost wages, lost benefits, and harm to my professional reputation.

6. Relief Requested

Complainant requests that ERD:

☐ Investigate and find probable cause that Respondent violated §§ 111.321-111.322
☐ Schedule hearing before an ALJ
☐ Order cease and desist
☐ Order reinstatement (or front pay) and back pay with 12% interest
☐ Order benefit restoration
☐ Award reasonable attorney's fees and costs
☐ Cross-file with EEOC to preserve federal compensatory and punitive damages remedies

7. Signature

I declare under penalty of false swearing under § 946.32, Wis. Stats., that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

[COMPLAINANT SIGNATURE]
[PRINTED NAME]
Date: [__/__/____]

Part C — Right-to-Sue Demand Letter (Federal EEOC Track)

[LAW FIRM LETTERHEAD]
[DATE]

VIA EEOC PORTAL AND CERTIFIED MAIL, RRR

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Milwaukee Area Office
310 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 500
Milwaukee, WI 53203-2292

AND (if withdrawing ERD complaint)

Department of Workforce Development
Equal Rights Division
201 E. Washington Avenue, Room A100
P.O. Box 8928
Madison, WI 53708-8928

Re: [COMPLAINANT] v. [RESPONDENT]
ERD Case No. CR[__________] / EEOC Charge No. [__________]
Request for Notice of Right to Sue and (Conditional) Withdrawal of ERD Complaint

To Whom It May Concern:

This office represents the Complainant/Charging Party. Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1601.28 and 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1), Charging Party hereby requests issuance of a Notice of Right to Sue.

1. Procedural Status

☐ More than 180 days have elapsed; Charging Party requests RTSL under 29 C.F.R. § 1601.28(a)(1)
☐ Fewer than 180 days; early issuance requested under 29 C.F.R. § 1601.28(a)(2)

2. Conditional Withdrawal of ERD Complaint

☐ Charging Party elects to withdraw the ERD complaint pursuant to Wis. Admin. Code DWD § 218.04(4) and ERD Form ERD-4971-E to pursue federal claims in U.S. District Court.

☐ Charging Party elects to maintain the parallel ERD proceeding (no withdrawal). The federal action will proceed concurrently.

3. Acknowledgment

Charging Party acknowledges:

• The EEOC Notice of Right to Sue triggers a 90-day federal civil action deadline under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1);
• Withdrawal of the ERD complaint extinguishes WFEA administrative remedies including 12% interest and the make-whole administrative path;
• WFEA does NOT provide a private right of action in court — only federal claims will support compensatory/punitive damages in federal court;
• Wisconsin common-law claims (e.g., wrongful discharge in violation of public policy under Brockmeyer v. Dun & Bradstreet) retain independent SOLs.

4. Service of Notice

Please send the Notice of Right to Sue to undersigned counsel and to Charging Party within 15 days of this request.

Respectfully,

[ATTORNEY SIGNATURE]
[ATTORNEY NAME], Wis. State Bar No. [________]
[FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[(___) ___-____] / [EMAIL]

cc: [RESPONDENT'S COUNSEL]
[CLIENT]

Part D — Pre-Suit Civil Complaint (Federal Court — E.D. or W.D. Wis.)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
[EASTERN / WESTERN] DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN
Case No. [__________]

COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

I. INTRODUCTION

1. This is a civil action for employment discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.), the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.), and supplemental Wisconsin common-law claims, following exhaustion of administrative remedies before the EEOC and Wisconsin's DWD-ERD.

II. JURISDICTION AND VENUE

2. Subject-matter jurisdiction is conferred by 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343. Supplemental jurisdiction over state-law claims is conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 1367. Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) and 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(3).

III. PARTIES

3. Plaintiff [NAME] is a Wisconsin resident.

4. Defendant [LEGAL ENTITY] is an "employer" under Title VII (15+ employees), ADA (15+), ADEA (20+), and WFEA (1+).

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE EXHAUSTION

5. Plaintiff filed a charge with ERD and EEOC on [__/__/____], within 300 days of the most recent discriminatory act under Wis. Stat. § 111.39(1) and federal law.

6. The EEOC issued a Notice of Right to Sue on [__/__/____], received by Plaintiff on [__/__/____].

7. Plaintiff files this action within 90 days of receipt.

V. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

[Numbered paragraphs tracking the ERD Statement of Facts from Part B.]

VI. CAUSES OF ACTION

COUNT I — Title VII Discrimination on the Basis of [PROTECTED CLASS]
COUNT II — Title VII Retaliation
COUNT III — ADA Discrimination / Failure to Accommodate (if applicable)
COUNT IV — ADEA Discrimination (Age 40+) (if applicable; jury trial of right)
COUNT V — Wrongful Discharge in Violation of Wisconsin Public Policy (Brockmeyer v. Dun & Bradstreet, 113 Wis. 2d 561 (1983); narrow tort)
COUNT VI — Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (if applicable)

VII. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Court:

a. Declaratory judgment;
b. Back pay with prejudgment interest;
c. Front pay in lieu of reinstatement;
d. Compensatory damages for emotional distress (Title VII § 1981a cap);
e. Punitive damages (Title VII § 1981a cap);
f. ADEA liquidated damages for willful violations (29 U.S.C. § 626(b));
g. Reasonable attorney's fees and costs (42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(k); § 12205; § 626(b));
h. Injunctive relief and reinstatement;
i. Such other relief as the Court deems just.

VIII. JURY DEMAND

Plaintiff demands trial by jury on all issues so triable, including the ADEA claims under 29 U.S.C. § 626(c)(2).

Respectfully submitted,
[PLAINTIFF NAME], by counsel,

[ATTORNEY SIGNATURE]
[ATTORNEY NAME], Wis. State Bar No. [________]
[FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[(___) ___-____] / [EMAIL]

Date: [__/__/____]

Part E — Pre-Filing Checklist

1. Intake and Eligibility

☐ Confirm employer has 1+ employees (WFEA — virtually any employer)
☐ Confirm employer has 15+ (Title VII / ADA) or 20+ (ADEA) for federal claims
☐ Confirm complainant is "employee" (not independent contractor)
☐ Identify each WFEA basis (§ 111.321) — wider than federal
☐ Identify each federal basis under Title VII / ADA / ADEA
☐ Confirm Wisconsin work nexus
☐ Calculate 300-day SOL (§ 111.39(1) / federal)
☐ Analyze continuing-violation doctrine for hostile environment
☐ Identify state-specific claims (arrest/conviction record, lawful product use, etc.)
☐ Identify applicable local ordinances (Madison EOC, Milwaukee, Dane County)

2. Evidence Preservation

☐ Send litigation hold to Respondent
☐ Request personnel file under Wis. Stat. § 103.13 (Personnel Records)
☐ Preserve emails, texts, voicemails, performance reviews
☐ Identify and contact witnesses (personal contact info)
☐ Document chronology
☐ Preserve mental health records for federal damages
☐ Identify comparators

3. ERD Filing

☐ Complete Form ERD-4206
☐ Verify employer name (Wisconsin DFI business search)
☐ Identify registered agent
☐ Sign complaint (verification under § 946.32)
☐ File via mail, in-person, or Case Portal
☐ Confirm cross-filing with EEOC Milwaukee Area Office
☐ Obtain ERD case number and EEOC charge number
☐ Calendar Respondent answer deadline (~4 weeks)
☐ Calendar Initial Determination ETA

4. Post-Filing — Administrative Track

☐ Cooperate with ERD investigator
☐ Submit rebuttal to Respondent's answer
☐ Attend ERD mediation if offered (voluntary, free)
☐ Receive Initial Determination of PC or NPC
☐ Appeal NPC within 30 days under § 111.39(4)(c)
☐ Prepare for ALJ hearing on merits (file witness/exhibit list 10 days before)
☐ Conduct ALJ hearing — sworn testimony, recorded
☐ Receive ALJ Decision and Order (~90-180 days post-hearing)
☐ Appeal adverse ALJ decision to LIRC within 21 days under § 111.39(5)
☐ Seek judicial review under Wis. Stat. ch. 227 (Dane County Circuit Court)

5. Post-Filing — Federal Track

☐ Monitor 180-day clock for EEOC RTSL
☐ Request EEOC Notice of Right to Sue
☐ Decide whether to withdraw ERD complaint (DWD § 218.04(4); ERD-4971-E)
☐ File federal civil action within 90 days of RTSL receipt
☐ Plead supplemental Wisconsin common-law claims (Brockmeyer; IIED)

6. Damages Documentation

☐ WFEA: back pay, lost benefits, 12% interest, attorney's fees (NO punitive/emotional distress)
☐ Federal: add compensatory/punitive damages subject to § 1981a cap
☐ Compile W-2s, pay stubs, benefit statements
☐ Document mitigation efforts and income
☐ Calculate UI offset (WFEA back pay reduced by UI received per § 111.39(4)(d))
☐ Document emotional distress for federal claims only

7. Ethical and Strategic

☐ Conflict check
☐ Engagement letter (SCR 20:1.5)
☐ Counsel client on WFEA's narrow remedies (no emotional distress / punitive)
☐ Counsel client on bifurcated state/federal strategy
☐ Counsel client on tax treatment (IRC § 104(a)(2))
☐ Counsel client on social-media discipline
☐ Counsel client on duty not to contact Respondent's employees

Sources and References

• Wisconsin DWD Equal Rights Division — Home: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/
• DWD-ERD Discrimination in Employment: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/civilrights/discrimination/
• Wisconsin Fair Employment Law Overview: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/eworkboard/fair-employment/
• ERD Complaint Form ERD-4206 (English): https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/forms/erd/doc/erd-4206-e.doc
• ERD Withdrawal Form ERD-4971-E: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/forms/erd/erd-4971-e.htm
• Wis. Stat. ch. 111, subch. II (Fair Employment): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/111/II
• Wis. Stat. § 111.31 (Declaration of Policy): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/111/II/31
• Wis. Stat. § 111.321 (Prohibited Bases): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/111/II/321
• Wis. Stat. § 111.322 (Discriminatory Actions): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/111/II/322
• Wis. Stat. § 111.335 (Arrest/Conviction Record): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/111/II/335
• Wis. Stat. § 111.39 (Powers and Duties; 300-day SOL): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/111/II/39
• Wis. Admin. Code DWD § 218 (ERD Rules of Procedure): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dwd/218_226/218
• Labor and Industry Review Commission (LIRC): https://lirc.wisconsin.gov/
• LIRC Equal Rights Decisions: https://lirc.wisconsin.gov/erdecsns.htm
• Wis. Stat. ch. 227 (Judicial Review): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/227
• EEOC Milwaukee Area Office: https://www.eeoc.gov/field-office/milwaukee/location
• Madison Equal Opportunities Commission: https://www.cityofmadison.com/dcr/eoc.cfm
• Brockmeyer v. Dun & Bradstreet, 113 Wis. 2d 561 (1983) (public-policy wrongful discharge tort)
• Hatcher v. Dane County, 2010 WI App 73 (continuing-violation doctrine in WFEA)
• Hale Skemp — Wisconsin Employee Rights 101: https://www.haleskemp.com/wisconsin-employee-rights-101/