occidental life ins eeoc argued april decided june three years employee petitioner company first complained equal employment opportunity commission title vii civil rights act petitioner discriminated sex five months conciliation efforts eeoc failed eeoc brought enforcement action district central district california granted petitioner motion summary judgment ground enforcement action time barred act since action brought within days either formal filing charge eeoc effective date equal employment opportunity act alternatively held action subject barred california statute limitations appeals reversed section provides relevant part charge filed commission dismissed commission within one hundred eighty days filing charge expiration period reference state agency whichever later commission filed civil action section commission entered conciliation agreement person aggrieved party commission shall notify person aggrieved within ninety days giving notice civil action may brought respondent named charge person claiming aggrieved charge filed member commission person charge alleges aggrieved alleged unlawful employment practice held section imposes limitation upon eeoc power file suit federal provision language legislative history show intended enable aggrieved person unwilling await conclusion extended eeoc proceedings institute private lawsuit days charge filed pp eeoc enforcement actions subject state statutes limitations pp though congressional intent apply local limitations period inferred instances federal statute creating cause action fails specify period state limitations periods borrowed application comport federal statute underlying policies procedural structure created amendments act eeoc created given enforcement powers lieu previous scheme eeoc function vehicle conducting litigation behalf private parties charged investigating employment discrimination claims settling informal conciliation possible required refrain suing discharged administrative responsibilities application state limitation period thus federal policy california bar applied district circumstances conflict policy pp congress well aware enormous backlog eeoc cases concern expressed fair operation act focused filing initial charge eeoc rather later limitations eeoc power sue pp courts lack discretionary remedial power despite procedural protections accorded title vii defendant act eeoc delay bringing suit conciliation efforts failed significantly handicaps defense see albemarle paper moody pp stewart delivered opinion brennan white marshall blackmun powell stevens joined rehnquist filed opinion dissenting part burger joined post dennis vaughn argued cause petitioner briefs leonard janofsky howard hay thomas martin argued cause respondent brief acting solicitor general friedman deputy solicitor general jones abner sibal joseph eddins beatrice rosenberg wayne bishop john gallagher filed brief texas association business amicus curiae urging reversal robert thompson lawrence kraus richard filed brief chamber commerce amicus curiae justice stewart delivered opinion congress amended title vii civil rights act empower equal employment opportunity commission bring suit federal district private employer alleged violated act sole question presented case time limitation imposed eeoc power bring suit december employee petitioner occidental life insurance filed charge eeoc claiming company discriminated sex fruitless referral appropriate state agency charge formally filed eeoc march subsequently served company investigation eeoc served proposed findings fact company february company due course filed exceptions conciliation discussions eeoc company began summer discussions continued sporadically september year eeoc determined conciliation efforts failed notified company original complainant latter requested case referred general counsel eeoc bring enforcement action february approximately three years two months complainant first communicated eeoc five months conciliation efforts failed eeoc brought enforcement action federal district district granted company motion summary judgment ground law requires enforcement action brought within days filing charge eeoc alternatively held action subject appropriate state limitations statute therefore barred limitation provision cal code civ proc ann west supp appeals ninth circuit reversed holding federal law impose limitation eeoc authority sue action governed state statute limitations granted certiorari consider important recurring question regarding title vii ii enacted title vii limited eeoc function investigation employment discrimination charges informal methods conciliation persuasion failure conciliation efforts terminated involvement eeoc enforcement achieved charging party person aggrieved allegedly unlawful practice initiated private suit within days eeoc notification conciliation successful equal employment opportunity act congress established integrated multistep enforcement procedure culminating eeoc authority bring civil action federal procedure begins charge filed eeoc alleging employer engaged unlawful employment practice charge must filed within days occurrence allegedly unlawful practice eeoc directed serve notice charge employer within days filing eeoc required investigate charge determine whether reasonable cause believe true determination made promptly possible far practicable later one hundred twenty days filing charge eeoc finds reasonable cause shall endeavor eliminate alleged unlawful employment practice informal methods conference conciliation persuasion commission unable secure conciliation agreement acceptable commission commission may bring civil action respondent government governmental agency political subdivision named charge act expressly imposes one temporal restriction eeoc authority embark upon final stage enforcement bringing civil suit federal district eeoc may invoke judicial power compel compliance title vii least days charge filed neither section act explicitly requires eeoc conclude conciliation efforts bring enforcement suit within maximum period time language act upon district relied finding limitation bars bringing lawsuit eeoc days timely charge filed found supp provides relevant part charge filed commission dismissed commission within one hundred eighty days filing charge expiration period reference state agency whichever later commission filed civil action section commission entered conciliation agreement person aggrieved party commission shall notify person aggrieved within ninety days giving notice civil action may brought respondent named charge person claiming aggrieved charge filed member commission person charge alleges aggrieved alleged unlawful employment practice short literal language simply support determination imposes time limitation eeoc enforcement suits contrary natural reading lead conclusion simply provides complainant whose charge dismissed promptly settled litigated eeoc may bring lawsuit must wait days waiting period complainant may either file private action within days eeoc notification continue leave ultimate resolution charge efforts eeoc legislative history provided firm evidence subsection mean clearly seems say justification construing way evidence found dominant title vii battle congress kind additional enforcement powers granted eeoc proponents increased eeoc power constituted substantial majority houses congress divided members favored giving eeoc power issue orders advocated authorizing bring suits federal district courts supporters authority first victory committees houses favorably reported bills providing enforcement technique bill reported house committee contained section entitled civil actions persons aggrieved embodying provisions eventually became part issue present case committee report clearly explained purpose provision afford aggrieved person option withdrawing case eeoc dissatisfied rate charge processed case commission burgeoning workload accompanied insufficient funds shortage staff many instances forced party wait years final conciliation procedures instituted situation leads committee believe private right action present act bill provides aggrieved party means may able escape administrative quagmire occasionally surrounds case caught overloaded administrative process senate action amendments title vii essentially parallel house beginning introduction bill giving eeoc power ending substitution bill authorizing instead file suits federal courts house original substitute senate bills authorized complainants dissatisfied pace eeoc proceedings bring individual lawsuits days house senate committee explained provision necessary heavy caseload eeoc result delays unacceptable aggrieved persons indicated testimony eeoc caseload increased rate surpasses projections result increasing backlogs making determinations possibility occasional hasty decisions made press time unfairly prejudiced complaints accordingly commission able pursue complaint satisfactory speed enters agreement acceptable aggrieved party bill provides individual shall opportunity seek remedy even though may originally submitted charge commission senator dominick led opposition committee bill floor senate substitute bill give eeoc power issue orders authorized instead bring enforcement suits federal courts substitute bill also contained provision authorizing private lawsuits almost identical contained committee bill ensued senate debate conclusion substitute bill adopted senate course debate isolated ambiguous references provision substitute bill authorizing federal suits complainants dissatisfied eeoc delay analysis substitute bill made available final vote senate clearly explained purpose provision providing provision intended person aggrieved endure lengthy delays agency act due diligence speed accordingly provisions allow person aggrieved elect pursue remedy courts agency action prove satisfactory retention private right action amended designed make sure person aggrieved endure lengthy delays commission act due diligence speed accordingly provisions allow person aggrieved elect pursue remedy title courts agency inaction dalliance dismissal charge unsatisfactory resolution hoped recourse private lawsuit exception rule vast majority complaints handled offices eeoc however individual rights redress paramount provisions title vii necessary avenues left open quick effective relief iii company argues act contains limitation time eeoc enforcement suit may brought analogous state statute limitations applied relying long line cases holding state limitations periods applicable actions brought federal statutes company contends california law barred eeoc bringing lawsuit congress created cause action specified period time within may asserted frequently inferred congress intended local time limitation apply runyon mccrary civil rights act auto workers hoosier cardinal labor management relations act felix civil rights act chattanooga foundry pipe works atlanta sherman antitrust act campbell haverhill patent act implied absorption state statutes limitation within interstices federal enactments phase fashioning remedial details congress spoken left matters judicial determination holmberg armbrecht mechanically applied state statute limitations simply limitations period absent federal statute state legislatures devise limitations periods national interests mind duty federal courts assure importation state law frustrate interfere implementation national policies although state law primary guide area sure exclusive guide johnson railway express agency state limitations periods borrowed application inconsistent underlying policies federal statute ibid auto workers hoosier cardinal supra board county considerations mind turn company argument case congress first enacted title vii selected ooperation voluntary compliance preferred means achieving goal equality employment opportunities alexander gardner denver end congress created eeoc established administrative procedure whereby eeoc opportunity settle disputes conference conciliation persuasion aggrieved party permitted file lawsuit ibid although amendments provided eeoc additional enforcement power instituting civil actions federal courts congress preserved eeoc administrative functions amended act thus procedural structure created amendments eeoc function simply vehicle conducting litigation behalf private parties federal administrative agency charged responsibility investigating claims employment discrimination settling disputes possible informal noncoercive fashion unlike typical litigant statute limitations might appropriately run eeoc required law refrain commencing civil action discharged administrative duties view federal policy requiring employment discrimination claims investigated eeoc whenever possible administratively resolved suit brought federal hardly appropriate rely state wisdom setting limit prosecution johnson railway express agency supra state wisdom establishing general limitation period taken account decision congress delay judicial action eeoc performs administrative responsibilities see order railroad telegraphers railway express agency cope anderson rawlings ray indeed statute limitations applied district case circumstances directly conflict timetable administrative action expressly established act even cases involving inevitable direct conflict express time periods provided act absorption state limitations inconsistent congressional intent underlying enactment amendments throughout congressional debates many members houses demonstrated acute awareness enormous backlog cases eeoc consequent delays months encountered aggrieved persons awaiting administrative action complaints nevertheless congress substantially increased workload eeoc extending coverage title vii state employers private employers employees nonreligious educational institutions transferring authority bring suits attorney general commission authorizing commission bring civil actions federal courts hardly reasonable suppose congress aware severe time problems already facing eeoc grant agency substantial additional enforcement responsibilities time consign federal lawsuits vagaries diverse state limitations statutes short one year congress express concern need time limitations fair operation act concern directed entirely initial filing charge eeoc prompt notification thereafter alleged violator bills passed house senate contained short time periods within charges filed eeoc notice given employer debates reports houses made evident statute limitations problem perceived terms provisions rather terms later limitation eeoc power sue perception reflected final version act requires charge must filed eeoc within days alleged violation title vii alleged violator must notified charge including date place circumstances alleged unlawful employment practice within ten days thereafter fact statute limitations discussions congress directed period preceding filing initial charge wholly consistent act overall enforcement structure sequential series steps beginning filing charge eeoc within procedural framework benchmark purposes statute limitations last phase multistage scheme commencement proceeding administrative body iv absence inflexible time limitations bringing lawsuits company asserts deprive defendants title vii civil actions fundamental fairness subject surprise prejudice result prosecution stale claims unlike litigant private action may first learn cause upon service complaint title vii defendant alerted possibility enforcement suit within days charge filed prompt notice serves congress intended give opportunity gather preserve evidence anticipation action moreover pendency eeoc administrative proceedings potential defendant kept informed progress action regulations promulgated eeoc require charged party promptly notified determination reasonable cause made cfr eeoc terminated efforts conciliate dispute course possible despite procedural protections defendant title vii enforcement action might still significantly handicapped making defense inordinate eeoc delay filing action exhausting conciliation efforts cases arise federal courts lack power provide relief said title vii defendant fact prejudiced private plaintiff unexcused conduct particular case trial may restrict even deny backpay relief albemarle paper moody discretionary power locate result light circumstances peculiar case also exercised eeoc plaintiff judgment appeals affirmed ordered footnotes civil rights act stat love pullman amendments title vii made applicable respect charges pending commission date enactment stat district also held eeoc enforcement suits one based charges within coverage must brought within days march effective date amendments district decision reported fep cases civil rights act stat stat et seq supp amending civil rights act stat subsequent citations title vii opinion act amended supp charge initially filed referred state local agency must filed eeoc within days practice occurred within days notice state local agency terminated proceeding whichever earlier ibid supp ibid supp case government governmental agency political subdivision eeoc required upon failure conciliation refer case attorney general may bring civil action ibid section house committee bill provided relevant part commission determines reasonable cause believe charge true dismisses charge finds probable jurisdiction dismisses charge within one hundred eighty days charge filed commission commission either issued complaint ii determined reasonable cause believe charge true dismissed charge iii entered conciliation agreement commission shall notify person aggrieved within sixty days giving notice civil action may brought person claiming aggrieved upon timely application may discretion permit commission intervene civil action certifies case general public importance upon commencement civil action commission shall divested jurisdiction proceeding shall take action respect thereof sic reprinted pp one point debates senator javits sponsor committee bill sought amend substitute bill clarify relationship eeoc private lawsuits providing within thirty days charge filed commission commission unable secure respondent conciliation agreement acceptable commission commission shall bring civil action senator dominick objected substitution word shall may suggested interest flexibility commission schedule interest flexibility working something voluntary compliance far better put word may exchange followed senators manifested understanding provision dominick amendment served purpose analogous provision committee bill cong rec senator javits later agreed use word may senator dominick responded follows think change meritorious pointed first statement think commission mandated date agency bring suit trying work matters best conciliation see addition appeals ninth circuit present case six courts appeals reached conclusion eeoc du pont de nemours eeoc cleveland mills eeoc louisville nashville eeoc eeoc meyer drug eeoc duval two courts appeals considered question reached differing conclusions eeoc supra state limitations applicable eeoc griffin wheel state limitations applicable backpay suits since california created state agency authority provide remedy employment discrimination cal labor code ann west aggrieved party state may file charge eeoc long days allegedly unlawful act see supra eeoc may take least days investigate charge make determination reasonable cause thus even aggrieved party eeoc act within period expressly authorized act california limitations period applied district expire eeoc opportunity begin conciliation efforts let alone bring lawsuit testimony house committee william brown iii chairman eeoc stated february backlog pending charges equal employment opportunities enforcement procedures hearings general subcommittee labor house committee education labor time chairman brown testified senate committee backlog increased nearly cases increases expected equal employment opportunity enforcement act hearings subcommittee labor senate committee labor public welfare see cong rec remarks martin remarks erlenborn cong rec remarks dominick remarks fannin remarks sens talmadge chiles remarks allen remarks sens gurney allen remarks sens javits cooper dominick williams allen company contends numerous references debates eeoc backlog delays demonstrate adopting enforcement plan congress intended restrict time allowed investigation conciliation charge nearly references however context discussions whether enforcement conciliation efforts failed accomplished expeditiously administrative process lawsuits federal courts concern therefore additional delays complainants suffer eeoc given task conducting hearings issuing orders congressional concern delays investigation conciliation process resolved providing complainants continuing opportunity withdraw cases eeoc bring private suits see part ii supra supp number state local governmental employees brought jurisdiction eeoc estimated million cong rec remarks perkins cong rec remarks fannin elimination exemption nonreligious educational institutions added estimated million employees remarks cranston supp supp house bill provided eeoc serve notice charge alleged violator within five days senate bill required notice within days bills included limitation aggrieved party filing charge pp bill reported house committee require notice charge within specific time dissenters committee report urged filing limitation amended require eeoc give notice within five days reasonable time charge filed floor house congressman erlenborn explained amendment purpose giving notice party charged opportunity gather preserve evidence sustain formal charges filed subsequent enforcement proceedings instituted cong rec requirement reasonable notice quickly received support proponents committee bill remarks dent remarks perkins senate provision included bill reported committee order protect fully rights person persons charge filed supp prompt notice determination also serves cure deficiencies notice may result eeoc amendment claimed violation investigation see eeoc general electric eeoc huttig sash door eeoc see also nlrb fant milling national licorice nlrb justice rehnquist chief justice joins dissenting part agree part ii opinion holding supp impose limitation power eeoc file suit federal agree conclusion part iii eeoc bound limitations period actions reasons assigns suggest concerned limitlessly expanding important underlying statutory policy considerations traditionally dealt judges since believe consistent line opinions holding absence federal limitations period applicable state limitations period apply ignored process unwarranted judicial legislation reverse judgment appeals case since agree act contains limitation time enforcement suit may brought eeoc also agree relevant inquiry whether analogous state statute limitations applies unless suing sovereign capacity matter treat answer one derived today opinions period years surely yes see mccluny silliman pet campbell haverhill mcclaine rankin chattanooga foundry pipe works atlanta felix auto workers hoosier cardinal johnson railway express agency runyon mccrary however today relies basically two interrelated reasons refusing apply california applicable statute limitations suits brought eeoc first postulates mechanically applied state statute limitations simply limitations period absent federal statute ante second state legislatures devise limitations periods national interests mind duty federal courts assure importation state law frustrate interfere implementation national policies ibid assertions created whole cloth contrary tenor neither statement applied statutes limitations draws sustenance cases whatsoever rather anything superficial examination precedent reveals contrary established line decisions long followed rule unless suing sovereign capacity absence provision act congress creating liability fixing limitation time commencing actions enforce statute limitations particular state applicable mcclaine rankin supra see also cope anderson consistent nature history described auto workers hoosier cardinal supra early held state statutes limitations govern timeliness federal causes action unless congress specifically provided otherwise silliman pet question another context conclusion remained firm campbell haverhill since time state statutes repeatedly supplied periods limitations federal causes action federal legislation silent question yet congress disagreed interpretation silence spoken overturn enacting uniform period limitations background take omission present statute license judicially devise uniform time limitation suits citations omitted second point readily concede california legislature specifically consider federal interests underlying enactment title vii argument begs question rejected argument state statute limitations apply state considered federal policies stated mccluny silliman supra contended statute construed interpose bar remedy sought officer failure performance duty case contemplated legislature probable legislature ohio passage statute reference misconduct officer seem intention restrict provision statute particular causes action case lie statute restricted particular causes action provides action technical denomination shall barred brought within limited time every cause action may prosecuted within statute apparently rests case authority three opinions johnson railway express agency auto workers hoosier cardinal board county none applicable johnson state hint tate limitations periods borrowed application inconsistent underlying policies federal statute ante rather concluding state limitations period applied turned separate section opinion question tolling statement lthough state law primary guide area sure exclusive guide heavily relied today found auto workers provide support pointing longstanding history constant interpretation federal statute speak state limitations period applies rejected argument federal uniformity required federal limitations period stating justification drastic sort judicial legislation urged upon us last three cases board county also irrelevant involved suit brought sovereign capacity clear state limitations period apply case language points context discussion absorption substantive rights liabilities context statute limitations two decisively different see auto workers see also premises majority supported slender reed reed perhaps decision explained apparent fear application state limitations period result anomaly statute running eeoc entitled bring suit ante notes ante unlike typical litigant statute limitations might appropriately run eeoc required law refrain commencing civil action discharged administrative duties fear motivating reason behind unusual action today rests misunderstanding nature application state limitations period federal action brought eeoc eeoc may bring suit behalf complainant violation title vii days charge filed eeoc supp see ante appear matter federal law eeoc cause action accrues date date first becomes entitled sue see cope anderson mcallister magnolia petroleum case eeoc one year measured time bring suit cal code civ proc ann west supp thus fears expressed well grounded true congress enacting title vii chose ooperation voluntary compliance preferred means achieving goals alexander context case reason ignore state limitations period noted johnson railway express agency response similar arguments plaintiff may ask stay proceedings administrative efforts conciliation voluntary compliance completed eeoc case given days plus limitations period fact federal policy eeoc attempt achieve goals voluntary compliance seem sound basis ignoring state limitations periods policy without constraints statute acknowledges given wholly unable agree utilization state statutes limitations may short one year ante trenches severely structure policies title vii warrant departure precedent ii case tamar edelson filed charge eeoc december referred california fair employment practices commission accordance provisions agency took action charge formally filed eeoc march eeoc year days point investigate attempt secure voluntary compliance since eeoc directed make determination reasonable cause promptly possible far practicable later one hundred twenty days formal filing charge supp time period one year appear ample ensure perceives federal policy including voluntary settlement negotiations unduly denigrated yet eeoc file action district february almost three years formal filing charge since clearly outside state limitations period hold action barred unless eeoc considered suing behalf sovereign capacity matter turn insofar eeoc seeks recover backpay individuals stands shoes individuals represents suit individuals otherwise entitled bring supp party suit eeoc vindicating right private party entitled vindicate right cf alexander supra since suing sovereign capacity reason exempt suits general application state limitations statutes scope relevant inquiry formed beebe principle bound statute limitations barred laches officers however gross suit brought sovereign government enforce public right assert public interest established past controversy doubt nashville railway company cases cited case stands upon different footing presents different question question defences available defendant case government although nominal complainant party real interest litigation allowed name used therein sole benefit private person conclusion different turn issue injunctive relief decisive fact remains sovereign suing redress injury rather seeking relief complaining individual otherwise entitled seek injunctive relief may appear broad based nonetheless redress individuals gains nothing tangible result suit sure vindicate congressional policy seeking enjoin practices proscribed title vii bears repeating presumably government vindicates congressional policy whenever sues test exalt form brings suit substance suit directly benefits reasons unable agree ninth circuit eeoc promotes public policy prayer injunctive relief therefore seeks vindicate rights belonging sovereign reason adequately distinguish prayer injunctive relief prayer eeoc backpay individuals since believe eeoc suit barred running statute limitations cal code civ proc ann west supp respectfully dissent campbell haverhill stated might necessary follow state statute limitations discriminated passed manifest hostility federal rights jurisdiction gave unreasonably limited time sue within competency courts declare unconstitutional void narrowly delimited exceptions wholly different approach takes today looking whether state statute frustrate interfere implementation national policies ante emphasis added standard seem render wholly superfluous narrow exceptions discussed campbell district determined applicable statute limitations act gives complaining party right disrupt ostensible federal policy voluntary settlement filing suit window period days filing charge expiration period reference state agency supp reason given option person aggrieved endure lengthy delays agency act due diligence speed cong rec see light odd rely policy ooperation voluntary compliance invested overpowering importance sustain result different reached long line precedents prior today noted alexander original intent enacting title vii establish administrative procedure whereby eeoc opportunity settle disputes conference conciliation persuasion aggrieved party permitted file lawsuit emphasis added whatever validity argument may greatly weakened expiration period johnson railway express agency electrical workers robbins myers rejected arguments based part contentions title vii plaintiffs treated special deference title vii served vindicate important public interest fear today adopts sub silentio previously rejected title arguments way approaching statute notable expanses congressional silence agree impossible read supp time limitation eeoc right bring suit existence limitations period individual right bring suit without significance perceive reason legislative debates suggest none private party right sue cut days given unless intended form limitations period yet congress concerned limitations period suit brought complaining party suggests wrong asserting benchmark purposes statute limitations simply commencement proceeding administrative body ante also leads conclude reason allow normal presumption operate case limiting eeoc right action analogous state limitations period cf auto workers hoosier cardinal see nothing affirmatively rebuts longstanding doctrine silence congress interpreted mean federal policy adopt local law limitation holmberg armbrecht eeoc entitled bring suit complaint filed normally therefore brings suit complaining individual filed charge individual grievants usually initiate commission investigatory conciliatory procedures alexander amendments allow members eeoc file charges supp normal method initiating suit alexander supra since case involve situation complaining individual allegedly aggrieved party need deal question whether different result follow eeoc brings suit upon complaint initiated one members