Discrimination in Employment

Employment Discrimination Complaints

Complaints must be filed with EOD within 300 calendar days of the alleged act(s) of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Any complaints that involve conduct prohibited by A.R. 2.35 that occurred more than 300 calendar days ago will be referred to HR. HR staff will evaluate the allegations and determine appropriate action. However, complaints should be filed as close to the date of the prohibited conduct as possible so that the investigation and remedial action (if needed) may be made promptly. An employee may choose to raise the complaint with a state or federal agency without first pursuing it through City channels.

Any employee who believes that they have been subjected to conduct prohibited by should report it to any of the entities listed in below, including EOD at (602) 262-7486 (voice) or use Relay 7-1-1 (TTY).

Complaints may be made in-person during normal business hours at EOD's offices, located at 200 West Washington Street, 15th Floor. Complaints may also be made at any time using the City of Phoenix Employee Discrimination Complaint form. Applicants for employment should file their complaints or discuss their concerns directly with EOD. ​

​An employee or a supervisor who has been made aware of a possible allegation should submit a complaint, preferably in writing and as soon as possible following the incident, to any of the following City entities:

• ​​Supervisor or another person in their chain of command
• Professional Standards Bureau (Police Department only)
• Equal Opportunity Department
• Human Resources Department
• City Manager's Office​ ​​

Appeal Process

​After EOD has completed its investigation, the parties involved in the complaint may use EOD’s Director Appeal Process to appeal EOD’s determination. Only an employee who has filed a complaint alleging a violation of this A.R. or employees who were served with a Notice of Inquiry as part of an investigation into an alleged violation of this A.R. may file an appeal.

Within 10 calendar days after receipt of an appeal, the EDO Director will contact the complainant to schedule an appeal hearing. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Equal Opportunity Department Director or their designee will respond in writing with a final resolution of the complaint in a format accessible to the complainant.​

Discrimination by Small Employers (less than 15 employees) in the City of Phoenix

The Compliance and Enforcement Division is chartered with enforcing Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code, Article I. This chapter of the City code declares that it is the civil rights of the people of Phoenix, to be free from discrimination in employment, and for it to be contrary to the policy of the City and unlawful to discriminate against any person because of race, color religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability in employment.

The City enforces these protections for employees and applicants of employers with less than 15 employees.