How to File a Complaint of Discrimination in Housing, Employment, or Access to Business Establishments or Public Accommodations
- Overview of the Complaints Investigation & Mediation Process
- Employment Discrimination
- Housing Discrimination
- Public Accommodation/Business Establishment Discrimination
- Resources
Overview of the Complaint Investigation & Mediation Process
HRC's Discrimination Complaints Investigation and Mediation Division investigates and mediates complaints of discrimination and non-compliance in employment, housing and public accommodation, as prescribed by City policy and jurisdiction. Below is an overview of the complaint investigation and mediation process undertaken by HRC with regard to each complaint of discrimination received:
Employment Discrimination
In the City and County of San Francisco, an employer may not take an adverse action against an employee based on or because of one or more "protected classes," certain defined characteristics of that employee.
PROTECTED CLASSES IN EMPLOYMENT
Age Creed Height Religion AIDS/HIV Status Disability Marital Status Sex/Gender Ancestry Domestic Partner Status National Origin Sexual Orientation Color Gender Identity Race Weight
Examples of adverse action in employment include, but are not limited to:
Refusal to Hire Termination Failure to Promote Changes in Terms, Conditions and Privileges Harassment Limitations, Segregation or Classification Failure to Accommodate
How do I file an employment discrimination complaint with HRC?If you believe you have been subjected to employment discrimination in San Francisco based on one or more of the protected categories listed above, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission may be able to investigate and attempt to resolve your complaint. You can begin this process by doing any of the following:
- Send an email to hrc.info@sfgov.org stating that you want to schedule an intake appointment. You may include specific information about your situation or question in your email message, or you may provide that information directly to an HRC investigator at your intake appointment.
- Call 415-252-2500 to schedule an intake appointment. If you reach the automated answering service, leave a message with your name and phone number so that we can call you back to arrange an appointment.
- Visit the office of the Human Rights Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, to complete an Intake Questionnaire and schedule an intake appointment (Note: the HRC office is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; please use phone or email during this time).
Housing Discrimination
- What is housing discrimination?
In the City and County of San Francisco, a landlord, seller or lender may not take an adverse action against an individual based on one or more "protected classes," certain defined characteristics of that individual.
PROTECTED CLASSES IN HOUSING
Age Creed Height Religion Weight AIDS/HIV Status Disability National Origin Sex Ancestry Familial Status Place of Birth Sexual Orientation Color Gender Identity Race Source of Income
- What is an adverse housing action?
Examples of adverse action in housing include, but are not limited to:
- Refusal to Rent/Sell'
- Eviction
- Failure to Accommodate
- Changes in Terms, Conditions and Privileges
- Harassment
- Refusal of Services, Repairs, Facilities, and Improvements
- False Representation of Availability
- Discriminatory Financing Terms
How do I file a housing discrimination complaint with HRC?
If you believe you have been subjected to housing discrimination in San Francisco based on one or more of the protected categories listed above, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission may be able to investigate and attempt to resolve your complaint. You can begin this process by doing any of the following:
- Send an email to hrc.info@sfgov.org stating that you want to schedule an intake appointment. You may include specific information about your situation or question in your email message, or you may provide that information directly to an HRC investigator at your intake appointment.
- Call 415-252-2500 to schedule an intake appointment. If you reach the automated answering service, leave a message with your name and phone number so that we can call you back to arrange an appointment.
- Visit the office of the Human Rights Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, to complete an Intake Questionnaire and schedule an intake appointment (Note: the HRC office is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; please use phone or email during this time).
Public Accommodation/Business Establishment Discrimination
What is public accommodation/business establishment discrimination?
In the City and County of San Francisco, places, spaces and establishments open to the general public (including business establishments) may not take an adverse action against an individual based on one or more "protected classes," certain defined characteristics of that individual.
PROTECTED CLASSES IN PUBLIC ACCOMODATION
Age Creed National Origin Sex AIDS/HIV Status Disability Place of Birth Sexual Orientation Ancestry Gender Identity Race Sex Color Height Religion Weight
- What is an adverse public accommodation action?
Examples of adverse action in public accommodation include, but are not limited to:
- Denial/Refusal of Services
- Failure to Accommodate
- Discriminatory Advertising
- Discriminatory Home Delivery Services
How do I file a public accommodation discrimination complaint with HRC?
If you believe you have been subjected to public accommodation discrimination in San Francisco based on one or more of the protected categories listed above, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission may be able to investigate and attempt to resolve your complaint. You can begin this process by doing any of the following:
- Send an email to hrc.info@sfgov.org stating that you want to schedule an intake appointment. You may include specific information about your situation or question in your email message, or you may provide that information directly to an HRC investigator at your intake appointment.
- Call 415-252-2500 to schedule an intake appointment. If you reach the automated answering service, leave a message with your name and phone number so that we can call you back to arrange an appointment.
- Visit the office of the Human Rights Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, 8th floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, to complete an Intake Questionnaire and schedule an intake appointment (Note: the HRC office is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; please use phone or email during this time).
Additional Resources
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San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 12A: http://www.municode.com/content/4201/14131/HTML/ch012a.html
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San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 12B: http://www.municode.com/content/4201/14131/HTML/ch012b.html
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San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 12C: http://www.municode.com/content/4201/14131/HTML/ch012c.html
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San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 12H: http://www.municode.com/content/4201/14131/HTML/ch012h.html
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San Francisco Police Code, Article 33: http://www.municode.com/content/4201/14140/HTML/ch033.html
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San Francisco Police Code, Article 38: http://www.municode.com/content/4201/14140/HTML/ch038.html
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Human Rights Commission Rules of Procedure
- Height and Weight Discrimination Guidelines
- La Voz Clinic Providing education & information to immigrant women who have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault in the workplace
- Know Your Rights! Setting the Record Straight on Section 8 (July 2013)
- HUD Study of Housing Discrimination against Same Sex Couples (June 2013)
- Transgender Know Your Rights Resources