The Department of Human Resources, Equal Employment Opportunity Division (DHR EEO) only has jurisdiction to investigate complaints of EEO policy violations. An EEO policy violation involves harmful conduct (issue) linked to a protected class (basis). If your complaint is unrelated to an EEO Policy violation – such as government ethic violations, workplace violence, or interpersonal conflict – DHR EEO has no jurisdiction to investigate it. However, other City offices may have jurisdiction over these complaints.

  • If your complaint is related to the misuse of City funds, improper activities by City officers and employees, deficiencies in the quality and delivery of government services, or wasteful and inefficient City government practices, you may direct your complaint to the Office of the Controller’s Whistleblower Program .
  • Other non-whistleblower or non-civil rights complaints, including workplace violence or interpersonal conflict, may be directed to your home department’s personnel office.

One way to determine if DHR EEO may have jurisdiction to process your complaint is if your alleged experiences fit into the following framework using the text boxes below:

I believe that I was (insert issue) due to my (insert basis).
For example: I believe I was denied a promotion due to my gender (female).

Who can file a complaint?

  • City Employees
  • City Job Applicants
  • City Interns
  • City Volunteers
  • City Contractors

What common issues does DHR EEO investigate?

  • Denial of employment, promotion, training, or reasonable accommodation
  • Termination
  • Disciplinary Action
  • Sexual harassment or harassment
  • Adverse Work Assignment
  • Unequal Compensation

What factors can form the basis of a complaint?

  • Sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression
  • Race, color, national origin, ethnicity, or ancestry
  • Age (over 40)
  • Religion
  • Disability-physical or mental
  • Medical condition or genetic information
  • Retaliation for certain protected activities
  • Sexual orientation
  • Military or veteran status
  • Height or Weight
  • Marital or domestic partner status
  • Parental status
  • Political affiliation
  • Creed
  • Association with Someone in One of the Above Protected Classes

The City’s EEO Policy prohibits retaliation for: reporting or filing a discrimination complaint; opposing conduct reasonably believed to be discrimination, harassment, or retaliation; assisting in the investigation of a discrimination complaint or lawsuit; and requesting an accommodation for a disability or a religious practice. Complaints of discrimination must be filed within 180 calendar days of the date the alleged discriminatory action took place, or the date you would have first become aware of the discriminatory action. If a complaint is not filed within the 180-calendar day deadline, it will be time-barred and DHR EEO will not be able to investigate it.