Relevant Federal Statutes

The Federal Statutes are

1. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended,
2. the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and
3. 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.

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.

• Equal Employment Opportunity page
• The City of Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance

The City of Austin’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: (Link to Form 283)

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:  (Link to 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.

• Non-Discrimination Certification
• Poster   

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.