In the private sector, federal employment discrimination cases begin with a claim made to a local EEOC office. The EEOC, which was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is the administrative branch responsible for carrying out the provisions in this act and other employment acts, per the oversight of the Department of Labor. Typically, claimants will attempt to resolve disputes within their company's internal channels initially, but if a favorable outcome is not achieved, employees should turn to their local branch of the EEOC for assistance filing a claim. Additionally, in order to file suit, federal laws require individuals first file a claim with the EEOC within a timeframe, known as a statute of limitations, which varies depending on the claims filed. Realistically, filing a claim with the EEOC as soon as you believe a discriminatory action has occurred is your legal right and best strategy. If you fear your company may retaliate for doing so, which is understandable, federal law also protects individuals from retaliatory tactics from their employer for exercising a legal right to protect their own workplace rights.