District of Columbia
Overview
Please review the information below as well as the information on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page and then return to the workplace harassment prevention course tab.
Harassment and discrimination based on a protected characteristic are prohibited under both federal and state law. The federal government and most state governments have agencies that help employers and employees understand these legal requirements and ensure compliance with the laws.
Protected Characteristics
Harassment or discrimination based on any protected characteristic set forth below is prohibited under local law in the District of Columbia.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977 prohibits discrimination in employment based on the traits listed below.
- age (18 and older)
- color
- credit information
- disability
- family responsibilities (including being the subject of proceedings for child support payments)
- gender identity or expression
- genetic information
- homeless status
- marital status
- matriculation (for example, attending a university or a vocational school)
- national origin
- personal appearance (including style of dress and personal grooming)
- political affiliation
- race
- religion
- sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions)
- sexual orientation
- status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking
Applicable Laws
District of Columbia
The primary state law prohibiting employment discrimination, including harassment, is the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977.
Filing a Claim in the District of Columbia
An employment discrimination, harassment or retaliation claim may be filed with the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights, and/or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, depending on the employer’s size and the protected characteristic on which the claim is based. The protected characteristics under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977, by enforcement area, may be found here. More information on federal law prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment is available on the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity page.
Retaliation Prohibited
Employer retaliation against an employee who files a discrimination or harassment complaint or is involved in the complaint process is unlawful.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only.
It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.