The place where I work does not have 15 employees. Can I still file a claim?
Although federal anti-discrimination law covers only workplaces with at least 15 employees, many states have anti-discrimination laws that cover workplaces with fewer than 15 employees. Therefore, even if your workplace has fewer than 15 employees, you still may be able to file a claim in state court, with your state’s government agency that enforces anti-discrimination law, or both.
To find out the minimum number of employees required by your state’s anti-discrimination law, click on your state on the map or list below, or just scroll down to the information for your state.
Select your state from the map below or from this list.
Alabama has no state anti-discrimination law, so the federal minimum of 15 employees applies , except 20 employees minimum for age discrimination cases.
Minimum of 2 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law, except for sexual harassment, which has no minimum.
Arkansas has no state anti-discrimination law, so federal minimum of 15 employees applies.
Minimum of 5 employees to file a claim under state law, except for sexual harassment, which has no minimum under state law.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 3 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 4 employees to file a claim under state law, except 15 employees minimum for disability cases.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law, including for age discrimination.
Georgia has no state anti-discrimination law, so the federal minimum of 15 employees applies.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 5 employees to bring a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees, except in cases of sexual harassment, physical or mental handicap discrimination and retaliation, which have no minimum.
Minimum of 6 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 4 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 5 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 8 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 20 employees to file a claim under state law, so lower federal minimum of 15 employees applies.
There is no employee minimum under state law, but if there are fewer than 15 employees, damages you can recover may be limited.
The minimum number of employees varies by county, so check with your county’s human relations commission.
Minimum of 6 employees to file a claim under state law.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Mississippi has no state anti-discrimination law, so the federal minimum of 15 employees applies.
Minimum of 6 employees to file a claim under state law.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 6 employees to file a claim under state law.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 4 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 4 employees to file a claim under state law.
Individuals cannot file lawsuits under North Carolina’s state anti-discrimination law (although they can file under federal law). However, North Carolina law allows citizens to file a “public policy” claim in court (not with the state’s administrative agency) based on the state’s anti-discrimination law, even if their workplace has fewer than 15 employees.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 4 employees to file a claim under state law. Ohio law also allows its citizens to file a “public policy” claim in court (not with the state’s administrative agency) based on the state’s anti-discrimination law, even if their workplace has fewer than 4 employees.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 4 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 4 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 8 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law, including age discrimination claims.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 6 employees to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 8 employees to file a claim under state law, except no employee minimum on wage discrimination cases.
Minimum of 15 employees to file a claim under state law. West Virginia law also allow its citizens to file a “public policy” claim in court (not with the state’s administrative agency) based on the state’s anti-discrimination law, even if their workplace has fewer than 15 employees.
No employee minimum to file a claim under state law.
Minimum of 2 employees to file a claim under state law.
