How to File a Complaint of Discrimination in Housing, Employment, or Access to Business Establishments or Public Accommodations

 

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 employmenthousing 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:
 

discrim arrow

Return to Top

Employment Discrimination

  • What is 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.

  • What are protected classes in employment?

 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

 

  • What is an adverse employment action?

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: 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).

Return to Top

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.
 
  • What are protected classes in housing?

 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: 
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).

Return to Top

 

 
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.
 
  • What are protected classes in public accommodation?

 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: 
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).

     

Return to Top

Additional Resources

Return to Top