Equal Employment and Fair Housing Office

The City of Austin Equal Employment & Fair Housing Office (EE/FHO) is empowered to enforce four City Ordinances and relevant federal statutes:

Relevant Federal Statutes

The Federal Statutes are

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended,
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA).

The EE/FHO is also empowered to take charges, under the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA). The EPA charges will be forwarded to EEOC for actual investigation and resolution.

Earned Sick Time

The City’s Earned Sick Time Ordinance aims to address the needs of workers in Austin for limited time off for health and safety needs. The intent of the ordinance is also to reduce employee turnover and unemployment, and to benefit the local economy.

Equal Employment Opportunity / Employment Discrimination

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the ADEA, the ADA, and the City's Employment Ordinance protect individuals from difference in treatment in their employment because of their race, color, sex, disability, age, religion and national origin. The Employment Ordinance also protects an individual from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance

The City’s Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance aims to reduce recidivism and unemployment and increase re-integration for qualified job applicants with criminal histories. The law places restrictions on certain private employers on when they can ask about a job applicant’s criminal history and how that information can be used.

Housing Discrimination

The City's Housing Ordinance and the Fair Housing Act protect an individual in the area of housing (terms and conditions, rental, leasing, buying or selling) based on race, sex, religion, national origin, familial status, and physical or mental disability. The ordinance also protects an individual from discrimination based on age (18 years or older), status as a student, sexual orientation, gender identity and marital status.

See the Housing Discrimination page.

Public Accommodations Ordinance

The City's Public Accommodations Ordinance makes it unlawful for any place of business to deny access to goods and services to anyone because of that person's race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, physical or mental handicap, gender identity or sexual orientation. To file: (Form 283-PA)

HIV/AIDS Ordinance

The City's HIV/AIDS Ordinance was adopted in 1986 to protect individuals who are infected with the AIDS virus, HIV infected individuals, and people who associate with AIDS individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. To file: (Form 283)

Discrimination in Employment by City Contractors

Chapter 5-4 of the City of Austin Code relating to Discrimination in Employment by City Contractors prohibits Contractors to engage in any discriminatory employment practice.

Federal Financial Assistance

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, age, disability or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. The City of Austin prohibits discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. EE/FHO receives and investigates complaints of discrimination under Title VI.

Austin Human Rights Commission

The Austin Human Rights Commission is responsible for securing for all individuals in the city freedom from discrimination because of race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or age.