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Employment Rights

NLRB Charge: File and Serve Within 6 Months

NLRB Unfair Labor Practice Charge, Six Month DeadlineFederal noticeChecked against an official source

Also called: Unfair Labor Practice Charge, ULP Charge, NLRB Charge Against Employer

Last reviewed 2026-07-11

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What this notice usually means

The National Labor Relations Board investigates unfair labor practice charges against employers and unions. Anyone can file a charge. It does not have to be the worker directly affected. A coworker or a union representative can file it too. Federal law gives you 6 months from the date of the unlawful act to act. This deadline has two parts. You must file the charge with the NLRB Regional Office within 6 months. You must also serve a copy of the charge on the employer or union within that same 6 months. Filing alone is not enough. The law makes you, the person who files, responsible for proper service. You can serve a copy by mail, by hand, or by other listed methods. After a charge is filed and served, NLRB agents investigate. They gather evidence. If the evidence supports the charge, the agency first tries to help the parties reach a settlement.

What to do now

  1. 1

    Mark your 6 month deadline

    Count 6 months from the date of the unlawful act, such as a firing or unlawful discipline. Count from that date, not from when you found out about it.

  2. 2

    File your charge with the NLRB

    File your charge with the NLRB Regional Office that covers where the unlawful act happened.

  3. 3

    Serve a copy on the employer or union

    You are responsible for serving a copy of your charge. The NLRB does not do this for you. Use certified or registered mail so you can prove it arrived.

  4. 4

    Keep proof of service

    Save your mailing receipt or delivery confirmation. Missing proof of service can get a charge dismissed, even if you filed on time.

  5. 5

    Get free help

    A local legal aid office can help. So can a union representative or an employment lawyer. They can help you file and serve your charge correctly.

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Deadline

You have 6 months from the date of the unlawful act to both file your charge with the NLRB and serve a copy on the employer or union. Missing either half, filing or service, within that same 6 months can end your charge.

“If you believe your rights or the rights of others have been violated, you should contact the National Labor Relations Board promptly to protect your rights, generally within six months of the unlawful activity.”

From National Labor Relations Board, How to Enforce Your Rights (nlrb.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-11

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-07-11

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