Employment Discrimination is Against the Law

Every person has the right to equal employment opportunities. If you believe that you have received discriminatory treatment by an employer, labor union, or employment agency when applying for employment or while employed, you may file an employment discrimination complaint under different laws that provide protection.  How to file an inquiry >>

The Escambia Pensacola Human Relations Commission investigates employment discrimination complaints that potentially violate local, state, and/or federal laws.  The employer or prospective employer must be in Escambia County for you to file a complaint. To be covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of l964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), an employer must have 15 employees or more. To be covered by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of l967 (ADEA) an employer must have 20 employees or more.

The laws enforced by EEOC protect persons from employment discrimination when it involves:

  • Unfair treatment because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older), or genetic information.

  • Harassment by managers, co-workers, or others in your workplace, because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, age (age 40 or older), or genetic information.

  • Denial of a reasonable workplace change that you need because of your religious beliefs or disability.

  • Improper questions about or disclosure of your genetic information or medical information.

  • Retaliation because you complained about job discrimination or assisted with a job discrimination proceeding, such as an investigation or lawsuit.

Retaliation is against the law.  An employer may not retaliate against an employee for opposing any unlawful practice for filing a discrimination complaint, testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner, in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing dealing with employment discrimination.

A person filing a discrimination complaint has the right to:

  • File and pursue a charge without being harassed, intimidated, or retaliated against.

  • Know the name and telephone number of the person conducting the investigation and know the status of his/her case.

  • Have witnesses who have direct knowledge about the case submit statements during the investigative process.

  • Obtain a full remedy if discrimination is found.

  • Have written notice of any hearing or final action relating to the case.

Once you file a discrimination complaint, you have the responsibility to:

  • Supply and explain all relevant information, data, or documents to the investigator when required.

  • Provide any changes to your address or phone number.

  • Answer all telephone or mail inquiries from TOHR. If you fail to do so, your case may be dismissed. These inquiries will be as convenient and as infrequent as possible.

  • Attend all meetings, hearings, or fact-finding conferences. TOHR will try to accommodate your schedule as much as possible.