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Frequently Asked Questions

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I believe that I have been fired, demoted, suspended, etc., because of my race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability or military status. What should I do?

If you feel that you have been discriminated against in violation of Ohio law, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file an employment charge of discrimination. For more information, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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What employers are subject to Ohio’s laws against discrimination?
The state of Ohio, any political subdivision of the state, any person employing four or more people within Ohio and any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of the aforementioned employer are subject to these laws.

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I believe that I have been denied access to a higher educational institution, such as a university or college, because of my disability. What should I do?

If you feel that you have been denied access to a higher educational institution for discriminatory reasons, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file a higher education charge of discrimination. For more information, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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I believe that I have been denied credit at a bank because of my race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, marital status or military status. What should I do?

If you feel that you have been denied credit for discriminatory reasons, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file a credit charge of discrimination. For more assistance, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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I believe that I have been denied service or access to a place of public accommodation – such as a restaurant, theater or park – because of my race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry or disability. What should I do?

If you feel that you have been discriminated against in a place of public accommodation in Ohio, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file a public accommodations charge of discrimination. For more information, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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I believe that I have been denied the opportunity to buy or rent a home, evicted, or treated differently by my landlord because of my race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, ancestry, disability or military status. What should I do?

If you feel that you are the victim of housing discrimination because of your familial status or any other protected class, e.g. race, color, sex, disability, etc. under Ohio law, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file a housing charge of discrimination. For more assistance, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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I believe that I have been retaliated against because I have filed a previous charge of discrimination. What should I do?

If you feel that you have been retaliated against for filing a previous charge of discrimination, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file a retaliation charge of discrimination. For more information, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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I believe that I have been retaliated against because I have opposed discriminatory activity. What should I do?

If you feel that you have been retaliated against for opposing discriminatory activity, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file a retaliation charge of discrimination. For more information, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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I believe that I have been retaliated against because I have participated in another discrimination investigation or case. What should I do?

If you feel that you have been retaliated against for participating in another discrimination investigation or case, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to file a retaliation charge of discrimination. For more information, contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission at (888) 278-7101.

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I have filed a charge of discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. What happens now?

The Ohio Civil Rights Commission has one year to investigate your case after your charge is filed. Often the Commission will first attempt to assist you in reaching an amicable resolution with the person or entity against which the charge has been filed. In cases that are not mediated, the Commission will decide whether to dismiss the charge or to continue the process with a finding of “probable cause.” A “probable cause” finding merely means the Commission will then attempt to resolve the case between the opposing parties.

If mediation is unsuccessful, the Commission will then issue a complaint and send the case to the Civil Rights Section of the Attorney General’s Office for resolution. An attorney will be assigned to represent the Ohio Civil Rights Commission in proceeding with the Commission’s matter.

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The Ohio Civil Rights Commission issued a discrimination complaint after it investigated a charge of discrimination. What happens now?

After a “probable cause” finding has been made by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and if its attempt to mediate the case has been unsuccessful, the Commission then issues a complaint. That legal complaint triggers the case file to be sent to the Civil Rights Section of the Attorney General’s Office for resolution.

After the case is assigned, the Assistant Attorney General handling the case will attempt to contact the parties involved. The Civil Rights Section of the Attorney General’s Office can be reached at (614) 466-7900.

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After a discrimination complaint is issued by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, does the Attorney General’s Office represent me?

The Attorney General’s Office represents the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Thus, the attorney assigned to the Commission’s case cannot represent you. You have the right to retain your own legal counsel.

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Where can I find Ohio’s laws against discrimination?

The Ohio laws and administrative rules against discrimination can be found in Ohio Revised Code Section 4112 and Ohio Administrative Code Section  4112, respectively.

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