Jerry McCOTTRELL, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, Defendant-Appellee

**McCottrell v. EEOC: Court Dismisses Challenge to Agency Procedures** Jerry McCottrell filed a lawsuit challenging the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over their procedures or decisions in handling his employment discrimination case. McCottrell was unhappy with how the EEOC processed his complaint and took his dispute to federal court, asking the judges to overturn the agency's actions. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed McCottrell's case in January 1984. The court ruled against him, meaning his challenge to the EEOC's procedures was unsuccessful. No monetary damages were awarded because the case was thrown out entirely. **What This Means for Workers:** This case highlights an important limitation for workers dealing with employment discrimination. When you file a discrimination complaint with the EEOC, there are limited ways to challenge how the agency handles your case. Courts generally give the EEOC significant discretion in their procedures and decision-making process. For workers, this means it's crucial to work cooperatively with the EEOC during their investigation process, as successfully challenging their procedures in court can be very difficult. Focus on providing thorough documentation and evidence to support your discrimination claim rather than trying to control the agency's process.