Complaints of discrimination filed by two or more complainants
consisting of substantially similar allegations of discrimination
or relating to the same matter may be consolidated by the Board or
the Commission for joint processing after appropriate notification
to the parties. Two or more complaints of discrimination filed by
the same complainant shall be consolidated by the Board for joint
processing after appropriate notification to the complainant. When
a complaint has been consolidated with one or more earlier filed complaints,
the Board shall complete its investigation within the earlier of 180
days after the filing of the last complaint or 360 days after the
filing of the original complaint, except that the complainant may
request a hearing from an administrative judge on the consolidated
complaints any time after 180 days from the date of the first filed
complaint. Administrative judges or the Commission may, in their discretion,
consolidate two or more complaints of discrimination filed by the
same complainant.
