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File A Discrimination Complaint

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Who Can File a Complaint

You may file a discrimination complaint if you believe you have been discriminated against in employment, housing, public accommodations and educational institutions based on a protected trait in DC. You can also file a complaint based on language access services denied at a government agency, an employer who improperly asked about your criminal record during the application or interview process, or discrimination by a taxi or vehicle-for-hire. Other helpful facts include:
  • You do not have to be a District of Columbia resident, but the alleged discrimination must have taken place in the District of Columbia. 
  • Your complaint must be filed with OHR within one year of the occurrence or discovery of the alleged act.
  • DC government employees alleging employment discrimination must first consult an Equal Employment Opportunity counselor in any agency.The EEO counselor has 30 calendar days in which to seek a solution on an informal basis. You may file formal charges with the Office within 15 calendar days of your final interview with the EEO counselor.
  • Federal employees alleging employment discrimination should consult with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at www.eeoc.gov.

How to File a Complaint

To file a complaint with the Office of Human Rights (OHR), simply complete an intake questionnaire and submit it to OHR.  Please select from the list below the intake questionnaire that pertains to your complaint. You may choose to fill out forms online or using the print version; both may be submitted online by emailing them to [email protected]. Please note, that sending an email without a complaint form will not be accepted. 

Alternative to submitting online, you can file a complaint the following ways: 

  • In-Person/Mail: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001  
  • Fax: (202) 727-9589 

D.C. Regulations require that as part of the intake process, a complainant must provide OHR with a “statement of the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice(s) and a statement of the particulars,” and the “date(s) of the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice.” This means that a complainant must describe the unlawful discrimination and the date that the discrimination occurred with enough detail that OHR can determine if OHR can or  should investigate the complaint. For example, OHR will review the information to determine whether the individual filed the complaint within one year of the act of discrimination, whether the act occurred in the District, or whether the allegation is an act prohibited by the DCHRA.

An OHR Intake Officer may request an interview and/or additional information to decide whether OHR has jurisdiction over the matter and/or whether the complaint states a violation of the DCHRA. Complainants must fully cooperate with OHR by responding to all communications and requests for information from OHR staff truthfully, respectfully, and in a timely manner. If a complainant fails to cooperate in the intake process, OHR may dismiss the complaint.

Forms for Filing a Complaint Under the DC Human Rights Act

Educational Institutions

Employment

Click here for a special notice to employment filers

Housing

Places of Public Accommodation or Government Services  

Forms for Filing a Complaint Under Additional Laws:

Care for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors with HIV Complaint Form   

Please fill out this form if you are a senior residing in a long-term care Facility who believes you have experienced discrimination based on your actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, HIV status, or any other protected characteristic. For more information on this law, please visit the Care for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors with HIV Amendment Act of 2020 page.
 

Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Complaint Form    

To file a complaint because you believe an rental housing provider improperly asked about your criminal background during the application review process, did not provide you with eligibility criteria used to consider your application before accepting an application fee or because a conditional housing offer was withdrawn after criminal convictions were discovered, please see our Criminal Background and Screening Complaint Form.

 

Fair Criminal Record Screening for Employment Complaint Form    

To file a complaint because you believe an employer improperly asked about your criminal background during the application or interview process, or because a conditional job offer was revoked after criminal convictions were discovered, please see our Criminal Background and Screening Complaint Form.

Language Access Public Complaint Form  

Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Complaint Form  

To file a complaint because an employer failed to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees whose ability to perform job duties is limited because of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or a related medical condition, please see our Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act information page.

Rental Tenant Screening Violations Complaint Form

Complete this form if you believe a housing provider has violated tenant screening requirements under the Eviction Record Sealing Authority and Fairness in Renting Amendment Act of 2022. 

Taxicab or Vehicle-for-Hire Discrimination Complaints  

If you believe you were discriminated against by a taxi driver, vehicle-for-hire driver or related company while in the District of Columbia, you can file a complaint with both the DC Taxicab Commission and the DC Office of Human Rights by completing an online form. To file a complaint, please read our Taxicab and Vehicle-for-Hire Complaint page. 

Unemployed Anti-Discrimination Act Complaint Form

To file a complaint because you believe an employer failed or refused to consider you for employment because you were unemployed, please see our Unemployed Anti-Discrimination Act information page.

Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act (UPL) Complaint Form 

Complete this form ONLY if you believe a private sector employer has interfered with your right to the benefits provided under the UPL or if you believe that a private sector employer has retaliated against you for requesting, applying for, or using paid leave under the UPL. If you are a D.C. government employee who wishes to file a complaint based on your application for Paid Family Leave (PFL), you should file your complaint with the D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR).

 

This webpage was last updated on August 14, 2024

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