During the initial phase of EEO processing, the following suspenses would apply:
1. You must contact the CO/WY District EEO Office within 45 days of the alleged incident.
2. You must return the EEO Packet that you receive within 10 days of receipt. You must return this packet via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested for your own protection.
3. The CO/WY District EEO Office is required to conduct their
pre-complaint counseling with you within 30 days of their receipt of
your packet (unless you give them a further extension or you elect to
participate in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process under REDRESS.
At the end of that 30-day period, the EEO Counselor is required to
conduct the final interview with you and advise you, in writing, that
you have a right to file a formal discrimination complaint.
4. When you receive the "right to file a formal complaint", you have 15 days from the date of receipt of the complaint to return the "formal complaint" to the CO/WY District EEO Office.
Based on the above, you would think that EEO complaints would be processed in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, in the real world, that's not the way it works. You, as the aggrieved person, are bound by the suspense dates. The Agency is not. In that respect, I would advise that you shouldn't agree to a voluntary extension of the pre-counseling period, nor participate in the ADR process under REDRESS. But, that is a personal opinion of mine.
Suspense dates following the above may vary, dependent on your complaint. You may receive a request for an affidavit with a 10 day suspense for it. The investigator may offer an extension, or he/she may not. Some suspense dates are set in stone (in the regulations), and others are not. It may depend on how your complaint is processing, whether you retained an attorney, and possible other factors. However, if you are given a suspense date by either the Agency, or EEOC, you must abide by it.