What laws protect me from discrimination in the workplace?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, retaliation, disability, age or genetic information. The laws also make it illegal to retaliate against a person who complained about or objected to discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination or participated in an employment discrimination investigation. The laws also require that employers reasonably accommodate applicants' and employees' sincerely held religious practices, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer's business.
How long do I have to file an employment complaint?
- Due to filing deadlines, it is important to contact our office as soon as possible
- Under Chapter 57, complaints must be filed within 180 calendar days from the date the incident occurred.
- Under Title VII, complaints must be filed within 181 and 300 calendar days from the date the incident occurred.
- Under the Florida law if your complaint occurred within 301 to 365 calendar days, you should contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) at 800.342.8170.
Am I protected against retaliation from my employer?
Yes. Employment retaliation is illegal. If you feel you may have been targeted as a result of complaining or objecting to discrimination, filing a charge or participating in a discrimination investigation let us know immediately.
What laws protect me from housing discrimination?
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended is known as the Fair Housing Act, that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18.
Chapter 57 of the code of the City of Orlando mirrors the Fair Housing Act, and includes sexual orientation and marital status as protected classes. Learn more about the laws pertaining to Fair Housing.
How long do I have to file a housing complaint?
- Contact the OHR to assist with sorting through the rules and regulations and assisting with the filing process
- Under the Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended) and Chapter 57 of the code of the City of Orlando, complaints must be filed within 365 calendar days from the date of the alleged discriminatory incident.
What is Public Accommodation?
Public Accommodation is the legal right to the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, and privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place open to the public. This includes discrimination or segregation on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.
These places include but are not limited to: resorts or amusements, transient hotels or motels, buffets, retail stores, theaters, motion picture houses, golf courses, bowling alleys etc.