See below for information on:
- Discrimination in employment, housing or public accommodations
- Doing business with the city as a small business owner
- Volunteer opportunities with the Phoenix Human Relations Commission, Phoenix Women's Commission and Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues
DISCRIMINATION
- I have been discriminated against by an employer with fewer than 15 employees. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department?
It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age, genetic information, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any aspect of employment. The city investigates employment discrimination complaints against employers located within the Phoenix city limits.
It also is illegal for the city or any city contractor or supplier to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. The city will investigate these complaints. If you suspect you have been discriminated against in employment, call the Equal Opportunity Department's Compliance and Enforcement Division at 602-262-7486/voice or TTY: Use 7-1-1.
- I have been discriminated against by an employer with 15 or more employees. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department?
It is illegal for employers with 15 or more employees to discriminate on the basis of color, race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or retaliation. The city refers these complaints to:
- The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov, 602-640-5000/voice or 1-800-514-0393/TTY) or
- The Arizona Attorney General's Office Civil Rights Division (azag.gov, 602-542-5263/voice or 602-542-5002/TTY)
The city will investigate complaints against employers with 15 or more employees filed on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
Note: Persons with disabilities are protected against discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Arizonans with Disabilities Act. This protection is afforded to all employees who work for employers with 15 or more employees. For more information, contact the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (602-640-5000/voice or 1-800-669-6820/TTY) or the Arizona Attorney General's Office (602-542-5263/voice or 602-542-5002/TTY).
- I have been discriminated against in housing. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department?
It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status (pregnancy or children under age 18), disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in the sale, lease, rental, insuring or financing of housing. The Equal Opportunity Department investigates housing discrimination complaints that have occurred within the Phoenix city limits. If you suspect you have been discriminated against in housing, call the Compliance and Enforcement Division voice line at 602-262-7486 or TTY: Use 7-1-1.
- I was refused service at a restaurant. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department?
It is illegal to refuse or restrict service at any place of public accommodation on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or gender identity or expression. This includes restaurants, hotels, theaters, parks, hospitals, nightclubs, health spas and all establishments located within Phoenix city limits that offer services to the general public. The Equal Opportunity Department investigates complaints. Call the Equal Opportunity Department Compliance and Enforcement Division at 602-262-7486 or TTY: Use 7-1-1 for further assistance.
DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF PHOENIX
- I am a supplier/contractor. Am I required to comply with Affirmative Action (AA) requirements?
On April 6, 2011, the Phoenix City Council amended Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code, Articles I, IV, and V, to eliminate affirmative action (AA) references in city procurement and construction contracting. Changes to the City Code were prompted by the passage of Proposition 107 in the November 2010 state election. The state law prohibits AA programs that give preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, education or contracting.
Effective May 6, 2011, the city’s online registry of suppliers and contractors eligible to conduct business with Phoenix under previous AA requirements was discontinued. Contractors and suppliers wishing to do business with the city are no longer required to file forms with the city showing they implement employment programs directed at increasing minority and female representation in the work force.
Exception: Federally funded Programs
Federally funded programs may still require compliance with affirmative action efforts. In the event the federal government is requiring reporting, outreach or AA goals to establish or maintain eligibility for federal programs, and failure to adhere to these requirements would result in a loss of federal monies to the city, the federal requirements shall prevail.
- I am a small business owner. How can I do business with the city of Phoenix?
The Equal Opportunity Department administers a program to certify small businesses. The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification Program ensures that small business owners in the community have an equal economic opportunity to obtain city business. The city's SBE Certification Program is designed to help small businesses interested in providing goods and services as well as construction services to the city. Business owners of any ethnic or racial background, male or female, may apply for SBE certification. Only firms located in Maricopa County are eligible for the city's SBE Certification Program.
Criteria for certification include:
- All business owners have personal net worth below $1.32 million
- The firm is operational and is a for-profit concern that has completed four business contracts
- The business owner controls the day-to-day operation of the business and has a background in the firm's major business field
- The firm operates independently of any other non-qualifying firm
- The firm is a small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration
The application for certification is located at phoenix.diversitycompliance.com.
- I am a disadvantaged (socially and economically) minority/woman business owner. How can I do business with the city of Phoenix?
The Equal Opportunity Department administers a program to certify disadvantaged minority- and woman-owned firms for business opportunities on federally funded projects. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification Program ensures that disadvantaged (socially and economically) businesses in the community have an equal economic opportunity to obtain city business. Firms certified by the program are eligible to conduct business with the city of Phoenix.
Certification criteria are:
- All business owners have personal net worth below $1.32 million
- Applicant owns at least 51 percent of the firm
- Applicant operates and controls the business
- The firm is a small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration
To become certified, complete the application for DBE certification at phoenix.diversitycompliance.com.
COMMISSIONS SUPPORTED BY EOD
- I am interested in serving on the Phoenix Human Relations Commission. How can I apply?
Applications are available here.
The Phoenix Human Relations Commission is comprised of 17 volunteer citizens appointed by the mayor and City Council. It advises the City Council on human relations issues and assists in implementing the city's policy against discrimination. The commission also operates or supports programs designed to promote positive intergroup relations. The commission meets bi-monthly at 5:00 p.m. on the third Monday at the Fire Department Administration Building Great Room, 150 S. 12th Street. Meetings are open to the public.
For meeting times, visit phoenix.gov/publicmeetings. For more information, contact the commission staff liaison at 602-534-1279/voice or TTY: Use 7-1-1.
- I would like to serve on the Phoenix Women's Commission. How can I apply?
Applications are available here.
The Phoenix Women's Commission is composed of 17 volunteer citizens appointed by the mayor and City Council. The commission works to identify issues of importance to women, to improve their lives, and to promote the participation of women in civic and public affairs. The commission meets bi-monthly at 3 p. m. on the second Monday at the Fire Department Administration Building Great Room, 150 S. 12th Street.
Meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact the commission staff liaison at 602-262-534-1279 or TTY: Use 7-1-1.
- I want to go back to school, but I need financial assistance. Does the Phoenix Women's Commission have any financial assistance programs that can help me?
The Phoenix Women's Commission sponsors the International Day Women's Scholarship Program. It is a financial scholarship program for women interested in re-entering the education system or women beginning an educational endeavor after at least three years away from school.
Applications for the program are available to women enrolling at the following educational institutions: - Arizona State University, Tempe - 480-965-9509
- Arizona State University, West - 602-543-6115
- DeVry University - 602-870-9222
- Grand Canyon University - 602-639-6580
- Paradise Valley Community College - 602-787-7106
- Phoenix College - 602-285-7667
- Rio Salado Community College - 480-517-8311
- South Mountain Community College - 602-243-8130
- Western International University - 602-308-2099 x1113
- I am interested in serving on the Phoenix Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues. How can I apply?
Applications are available here.
The Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues recommends creative solutions to disability concerns and addresses accessibility issues in the community. The commission is comprised of 17 volunteer citizens that meet bi-monthly at 4:15 p.m. on the third Wednesday in Conference Room 15West at Phoenix City Hall , 200 W. Washington Street, 15th Floor.
Visit public meeting notices for meeting times. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact the commission liaison at 602-534-1279/voice or TTY: Use 7-1-1.
