What is Equal Employment Opportunity and how to file a claim

File a claim if you think you've faced unequal treatment based on your identity.

What to do

1. What is Equal Employment Opportunity?

The City has a fair process to investigate issues like discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. This process is available to everyone who is connected to the City, including employees, job applicants, interns, volunteers, and contractors. If someone feels they have been treated unfairly, they can find out how to report their concerns using the information provided on this page.

2. Know what is covered under the law

Understand the types of complaints we look into before you file.

What counts as a violation of Equal Opportunity law.

We do not investigate government ethics violations, workplace violence, or interpersonal conflicts. 

3. File your complaint

Call the EEO helpline

(415) 557-4900 or (415) 557-4810 (TTY)

  • DHR EEO staff are available to assist you in completing your complaint.

Email

DHR-EEO@sfgov.org

Tell us about your situation.

  • Use specific details. Say why you think this is a specific case of discrimination (like being treated differently due to your or someone else's age, racial identity, or gender).

Be sure to also include:

  • Name and Pronoun
  • Preferred contact information
  • Job title and department
  • Issue and basis for your complaint
  • Date of alleged discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory conduct
  • Any witnesses to the alleged conduct
  • Documentation to support your complaint

File in person

Address:
Department of Human Resources
1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm 

  • Visit us in person to let us know about your issue.

Mail

Address:
Director, Department of Human Resources
Attention: EEO Division
1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

Tell us about your situation.

  • Use specific details. Say why you think this is a specific case of discrimination (like being treated differently due to your or someone else's age, racial identity, or gender).

Be sure to also include:

  • Name and Pronoun
  • Preferred contact information
  • Job title and department
  • Issue and basis for your complaint
  • Date of alleged discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory conduct
  • Any witnesses to the alleged conduct
  • Documentation to support your complaint

Notify your own EEO department know

  • You may file complaints with their home departments' human resources groups, which will subsequently contact DHR EEO.

Find another way

With the federal government:

With the State of California:

With your union:

  • Ask for details on how to file a complaint of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation with your union specifically.
  • Unions usually outline this process is their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City.
  • Sometimes MOUs say you must go through the City's internal complaint process. If so, you can follow the main steps outlined on this page.

Get help

Phone

Equal Employment Opportunity helpline

Human Resources

Department of Human Resources
1 South Van Ness Avenue
4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

Mon to Fri, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

View location on google maps

View also information on our separate testing center

Last updated February 27, 2024

Department