The Cuyahoga County Human Rights Commission (CCHRC) receives, hears and decides complaints of discrimination in employment on the basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGI) only or on the basis of SOGI in combination with other protected status [See Title 15, Section 1501.02(B)]. Employment issues considered include but not limited to:

• An employer’s job advertisement
• Hiring processes
• Terms and conditions of work
• Workplace harassment
• Adverse employment actions such as the following:
  • Discipline
  • Layoff/recall
  • Promotion/demotion
  • Termination

Complaints of discrimination can be filed against employers with four or more employees. The act of discrimination must have occurred no more than 150 days prior to the date of filing.

• Sample Complaint Form

Can I File a Complaint of Discrimination?

To determine if your issue can be reviewed and heard by the CCHRC, please answer the following questions:

• Is the act of discrimination related to employment that occurred within Cuyahoga County?
• Did the act of discrimination happen within 150-days from the date you are filing the complaint?
• Does the action complained about relate to your sexual orientation or gender identity or expression?

If you answered yes to all three questions above, you can file an Employment Charge of Discrimination complaint with the CCHRC.

What is an adverse employment action?

Examples of adverse action in employment include, but are not limited to:

• Refusal to hire
• Termination
• Failure to promote
• Changes in terms, conditions and privileges
• Harassment
• Limitations or segregation
• Classification
• Failure to accommodate