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California Employment Law Glossary

Right-to-Sue Letter
Legal Process & Claims

 

Definition


 

A right-to-sue letter - also called a right-to-sue notice - is issued by the California Civil Rights Department or the federal EEOC and authorizes an employee to file a civil lawsuit in court for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. In California, employees must obtain this notice before filing a FEHA lawsuit. Once the notice is issued, employees generally have one year from the date of the letter to file their lawsuit in California state court.


Frequently Asked Questions

A right-to-sue letter authorizes you to file a civil lawsuit for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, and starts a filing clock you need to track carefully.

You generally have one year from the date of the right-to-sue notice to file your lawsuit in California state court, so prompt action is important.

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A right-to-sue letter starts a strict clock. Contact our attorneys immediately for a free case review so no time is wasted.
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This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights. Laws change - for advice specific to your situation, contact our office for a free case review.