CITY OF NORWALK

 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

What is the purpose of the Commission?

·                    To encourage and bring about mutual understanding and respect among all groups in the city, eliminate prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination and give effect to the guaranty of equal rights for all.

·                    To promote mutual understanding and respect among and assure equality of opportunity for all citizens without regard for their race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, present or past history of mental disorder, mental retardation or physical disability.

·                    To conduct programs of education, study, research, investigation and action that will contribute to carrying out the purposes and provisions of the ordinance.

·                    To investigate and rectify unfair employment practices or the denial of full and equal accommodations, including housing.

What complaints does the Commission hear?

If you think you’re being treated unfairly in regard to EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, or PUBLIC ACCOMODATIONS, you may file a complaint with the Human Relations Commission.  Fair Housing cases are referred to the city’s Fair Housing Officer; however, the Commission conducts hearings on Fair Housing cases.  If you believe that you have been experienced illegal discrimination, the Commission will investigate with no cost to you.

Under Connecticut law it is illegal to discriminate based on…

Race                          Religious Creed             Sexual orientation

Color                          Mental retardation               National origin

Sex                             Genetic info- empl               Physical Disability

Age                             Learning disability             Guide dog access

Ancestry                   Marital status                        Familial Status-hsg

            Lawful source of income-hsg   Mental illness/disability

What are examples of illegal discrimination?

·                    It is illegal for employers, employment agencies or labor organizations to discriminate based on a protected class such as race, sex, age, etc. in recruiting, hiring, referring, classifying, promoting, advertising, discharging, training, laying off, compensation or other “terms and conditions” of employment.

·                    It is illegal to discriminate based on a protected class such as race, sex, age, etc. in services rendered to the public or in rentals or sales of public or private housing

·                    It is illegal to discriminate based on a protected class such as race, sex, age, etc. in any credit transaction including loans or mortgages.

·                    It is illegal for anyone to retaliate against you for filing a discrimination complaint or for opposing discrimination.

How does the complaint process work?

Complaint   A phone call, letter or visit to the Human Relations office starts the process. We will schedule an interview and you will have the opportunity to file a complaint.  All complaints are treated confidentially.

Response   After the complaint is delivered to the company or person you feel has discriminated against you, they file a response.

Investigation    The Human Relations staff reviews the response to the complaint, and conducts an investigation with site visits and interviews to determine if the complaint has merit to proceed.

Mediation     If the complaint has merit under the laws that apply to the case, staff will try to negotiate an agreement between you and the other party. An example of a settlement in an employment case could include getting your job back, or back pay.

Hearing   The staff reports on the status of the investigation and mediation to the Human Relations Commission.  If the claim has merit and a settlement agreement has not been reached, the Commission schedules a hearing and will render a decision following the hearing. If the Commission determines that there has been discrimination, the members can order remedies, such as described above.

Appeal     Human Relations Commission Decisions may be appealed to the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

What else does the Human Relations Commission offer?

·                    Programs on human rights issues and information on services for people with disabilities

·                    The office handles all disability grievances involving the City of Norwalk

·                    Annual programs commemorating International Human Rights Day and Month during the month of December in cooperation with the Norwalk public schools

·                    Diversity programs to promote understanding among all groups in the city of Norwalk

·                    Community outreach programs to investigate problems and take action to support the purposes of the Human Relations Commission

If you feel that you have been the victim of discrimination, or would like more information about programs, laws or regulations, we encourage you to contact the Norwalk Human Relations office at:

Norwalk City Hall, Room 125
125 EAST AVENUE, NORWALK, CT  06856
Walk-In hours from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, or by appointment
PHONE 854-7989

humanrelations@norwalkct.org

Adam D. Bovilsky, Director

Nilsa Martinez, Bi-Lingual Secretary;

Larry Patterson, Field Representative;