The master’s thesis examines the legal and institutional framework of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and its role in enforcing protection against employment discrimination in the United States of America. It analyses the path of an individual from filing a charge of discrimination, through investigation and the possibility of alternative dispute resolution, to potential judicial proceedings. Particular attention is given to the gap between formally guaranteed rights and their effective enforcement in practice. The thesis finds that the U.S. system provides relatively broad and institutionally strong protection, but that its effectiveness in individual cases remains dependent on the accessibility of proceedings, the individual’s evidentiary position, the duration of proceedings, the resources available to the EEOC, and access to subsequent judicial protection. A fair resolution therefore cannot be equated solely with a favourable outcome but must also be assessed in light of the fairness and balance of the procedural position of both parties. The comparison with the Advocate of the Principle of Equality demonstrates that effective protection depends on a combination of institutional accessibility, enforcement powers, available resources, and the ability to provide effective remedies for established violations.
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