After a Charge Is Filed (Brief Description)

After the discrimination charge is taken, the complainant and the respondent are given the option to participate in a mediation session, wherein an attempt at a mutually agreed upon settlement is made prior to an investigation. This agreement is a "no-fault" agreement, in which terms and conditions of a settlement are negotiated between the complainant and the respondent, and in which the respondent does not admit violations of the law and the complainant agrees not to file suit against the respondent based on the same issues. If either party chooses not to participate or the parties cannot agree to a resolution, an investigation is conducted.

Human Rights Bureau Process

  • A claimant or charging party is one who believes she/he has had an employment, public accommodation, housing or credit harm based on a protected status (i.e. race, age, national origin, color, religion, sex, physical or mental handicap, serious medical condition, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity). The individual must contact and file a Charge with the Bureau within 300 days of the last date of alleged discrimination. The contact can be made in person, via telephone, by mail, or email through this website.
  • Based on the information provided by the claimant, an investigator will draft a Charge of Discrimination and mail it to you. If claimant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must complete the forms. It is not a filed charge until the signed and dated form is received by the Bureau.
  • A copy of the Charge and an invitation to mediation will be sent to the Respondent (employer). The purpose of the mediation is to try and resolve the case. We do encourage that all cases go through mediation initially as a means of resolving the charge. If both parties agree to the mediation, our mediator will contact you to schedule a mediation in the county where you were employed. If the mediation is successful, the case will be closed and both parties will sign a settlement agreement. If either party chooses not to participate or the parties cannot agree on a resolution, the Bureau will continue with the investigation.
  • The investigator will send the employer a questionnaire asking for their position statement and request information and documentation regarding your allegations. The employer has 20 days to respond (but can request an extension, if necessary).
  • After the Bureau receives the information from the employer, the investigator will send the position statement to the claimant/charging party, when then also has 20 days to send a written rebuttal to the statement.
  • Once the Bureau receives claimant’s rebuttal, the investigator will evaluate the information in the file and gather more information, if necessary, though additional requests for information, witness interviews, and site visits.
  • Once the investigation is complete the investigator will review and summarize the information and forward the case file to the Division Director.
  • Claimants can notify the Bureau that they wish to withdraw their case at any time during the investigation phase and file a civil lawsuit in district court.
  • The Division Director will review the case and make a determination of Probable Cause or No Probable Cause. Probable Cause means that the there is enough evidence to show that the law may have been broken. No Probable Cause means the Director does not believe there was sufficient evidence to show the law was broken.
  • A determination of No Probable Cause will cause the Bureau to close the case and issue a right-to-sue notice, allowing claimants to appeal the determination within 90 days by filing in district court. If a case was dual-filed, a claimant can also request that the EEOC review the evidence.
  • After a Probable Cause determination from the Director, both parties will be invited to conciliate the case. Conciliation, like mediation, is an opportunity for the parties to resolve the matter themselves with the help of a mediator without having to go to a Commission Hearing or to Court.
  • If conciliation does not resolve the matter, then the case will be scheduled for a hearing in front of a panel of New Mexico Human Rights Commissioners or the Bureau’s Administrative Law Judge. Both parties will be responsible for preparing their cases for the hearing, which includes presenting evidence and questioning witnesses. Rulings are appealable in district court.

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions is committed to making all information on this website accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. If you have problems accessing a page on this site, please email nmdws.communication@dws.nm.gov.

  • Do you want to become an

    Applications Developer?

    Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency.

  • Do you want to become a

    Plumber?

    Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems.

  • Do you want to become an

    Ironworker?

    Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.

  • Do you want to become an

    Electrician?

    Perform preliminary work with the material and tools of the trade; residential and commercial rough wiring and finish work including the installation of various kinds of wires, cables, and conduits per the National Electrical Code; industrial lighting and service installation; motors controls and installation including emergency generators, relays, and timing devices.

Can't find what you're looking for?

Contact us and we'll do our best to answer your questions.