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What is Illegal Discrimination?

How to File a Complaint

Seattle Paid Sick/Safe Leave Ordinance

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Employing Immigrants

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Welcome to the Office for Civil Rights Web site

Text Version                                   En Español

Seattle Paid Sick/Safe Leave Ordinance
On September 12, 2011, Seattle City Council passed Ordinance #123698, establishing minimum standards for the provision of paid sick and paid safe time. When the ordinance takes effect on September 1, 2012, covered employers will be required to provide paid sick and safe time to their employees, with some exceptions. For more information …

Testing confirms African Americans and people with disabilities face frequent rental housing discrimination in Seattle
Housing discrimination occurs frequently in Seattle, according to test results just released by the City of Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR). SOCR has filed director's charges of illegal discrimination against six property owners based on practices revealed by the testing. More than half of all properties tested showed evidence of illegal housing discrimination.

Read the press release

Frequently Asked Questions: Fair housing testing conducted by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights

At the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, we envision a city where all people enjoy equal rights, equal opportunity and freedom from illegal discrimination. SOCR promotes racial and social justice for everyone in Seattle through education, policy work, and enforcement of civil rights laws.

Seattle City Council approves updates to civil rights code
Seattle City Council has approved amendments to Seattle's civil rights ordinances that clarify several definitions and make the City's code consistent with state and federal law … (more)

Possible protections to end discrimination in housing and employment based on arrest / conviction record. The Seattle Human Rights Commission and the community groups who have been in support of this proposal will continue to work with elected officials to move this issue forward. Visit the Seattle Human Rights Commission's web site for more information.

Here is more of what you can discover on our site:

• Learn how to file a discrimination complaint in housing, employment, public accommodations and contracting.
• Link to the web sites of the Seattle Human Rights Commission, Seattle Women’s Commission and Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities.
• Browse through our brochures, booklets and information cards on a variety of topics.
• View our publications translated into other languages.
• Learn about the Mayor's Race and Social Justice Initiative.
• Link to the “Employing Immigrants” web site for quick and easy access to information on immigration-related employment law.

We have created a text-only version of the site for people who use a screen reader, as well as a Spanish-language version. If you have any trouble accessing any part of our web site, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thanks for visiting,

Julie Nelson, Director