Investigation of Discrimination Complaints

Share this page

Contact Us

Fair Housing and Employment Intakes

Phone: (602) 262-7486

Resources

Housing

Fair Housing Brochure
Assistance Animals Brochure
Fair Housing Tip Brochure
Fair Housing Poster
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Employment

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination

Non-Discrimination Statement

The City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, source of income, genetic information, marital status or familial status in admission or access to its programs or services. If you are a person with a disability or limited English proficiency and require an accommodation to participate in a City program, service, or activity, requests may be made by calling (602) 256- 4126 (Voice), 711 (AZ Relay), or by emailing ada@phoenix.gov.

Employment Complaint Procedures

The City of Phoenix is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on any basis covered by federal, state and local laws. The City of Phoenix also prohibits discrimination or harassment consistent with A.R. 2.35. The City's A.R. 2.35 governs employment-related complaints of discrimination by City employees.

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 this A.R. 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 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.

Quick Links

City of Phoenix Employee Discrimination
Small Employer Employment Discrimination
Housing Discrimination
Source of Income FAQs
Public Accommodation Discrimination

Mission

The Equal Opportunity Department's (EOD) mission is to improve life in Phoenix by promoting equal opportunity, embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination. EOD strives to accomplish its mission through the efforts of the Compliance and Enforcement Division which is tasked to investigate complaints of discrimination in Employment, Housing and Public Accommodations.

Jurisdiction

The Compliance and Enforcement Division is responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination involving City employees. Administrative Regulation (A.R.) 2.35 is the City's Anti-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation policy which prohibits discrimination in City employment. The policy affirms that The City of Phoenix will not tolerate discrimination or harassment in the workplace. No employee should be subject to inappropriate conduct because of a protected characteristic or be treated with hostility because of their protected characteristic(s). The policy defines the following protected characteristics, race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, sex, pregnancy, age (40 or older), disability, being regarded as or perceived as having a disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or national origin.

Conversely, no City employees may engage in discrimination or harassment directed towards another employee because of a protected characteristic. This includes supervisors, managers, and executives who are entrusted with authority to enforce and uphold the policies of the City.

City of Phoenix Employee Discrimination

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.

Small Employer Employment Discrimination

Discrimination in Housing

Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code, Article III, empowers the Equal Opportunity Department to protect the people of Phoenix from discrimination in housing, including rental housing, home purchases, insurance, residential financing, advertising. The Code makes it unlawful for persons to be discriminated against any because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or source of income. Prohibited acts include failure to rent/sell, different treatment, failure to provide a reasonable accommodation, harassment, etc. Complaints must be filed within 1 year of the discriminatory incident. For additional information, view the brochures in “References."

Housing Discrimination

Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodations

Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code, Article I, also empowers the Equal Opportunity Department to protect the people of Phoenix from discrimination in places of public accommodation. Examples of public accommodations include Restaurants, Hotels, Shops, Movie theaters, Doctor's offices, Day care centers and many other places where people seek to purchase goods, services and facilities. The Code makes it unlawful for places of public accommodation 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.

Public Accommodation Discrimination

Discrimination Involving Aviation Department (Title VI)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT), and Phoenix Goodyear (GYR) Airports are committed to a policy of non-discrimination in the conduct of their business, including its responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which provides for the delivery of equitable and accessible airport services. As the owner of these airports, the City of Phoenix recognizes its responsibilities to the communities in which it operates and to the society it serves.

It is the policy of the City of Phoenix that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in the receipt of its services on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, religion, disability, or any other federally protected category as protected by the ADA and Title VI.

If you believe that you have been excluded, denied benefits, or subjected to discrimination, you may file a complaint with Ira McCullough, City of Phoenix Aviation Department's ADA/Title VI Compliance Program Manager, within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

Non-Discrimination Policy
Title VI Complaint Form

Any questions? Please contact Ira McCullough City of Phoenix Aviation Department's ADA/Title VI Compliance Program Manager, at PHXCivilRights@phoenix.gov or 602-273-2722.