Equal Employment Opportunity is a right protected by federal and state laws and the Albuquerque Human Rights Ordinance. Equal Employment Opportunity means you cannot be denied employment or be treated differently because of your:

• Race
• Color
• National Origin
• Ancestry
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Age

Employment discrimination is against the law in Albuquerque. Complaints of discrimination are investigated in the areas of:

• Hiring, firing, layoff
• Advertising
• Promotion, demotions and assignments
• Terms and conditions of employment

It is also unlawful to:

• Threaten,
• Intimidate, or
• Interfere with

any individual's rights to equal employment.

What can the Albuquerque Human Rights Office (AHRO) do for me?

If you feel you have been discriminated against, call the AHRO at (505) 924-3380 to discuss filing a discrimination complaint.

What happens when I file a discrimination complaint?

AHRO, as a neutral party, will serve the complaint on the party who is alleged to have violated the law (the respondent).

A respondent:

• Is given the opportunity to consider resolving the case prior to an investigation through a Pre-Determination Settlement Agreement (PDS), a mutual agreement between the complainant and respondent.
• Has a right to answer the complaint, if the respondent chooses an investigation.
• Must provide AHRO with requested data and any additional relevant information regarding the complaint.

What is a Pre-Determination Settlement Agreement?

A Pre-Determination Settlement Agreement provides both parties an opportunity to resolve the complaint voluntarily without a determination as to its merits before the change is investigated.

How are investigations conducted?

If the complaint is not resolved during the preliminary stages, it will be fully investigated. An AHRO investigator may need to:

• Conduct interviews of the complainant's and respondent's witnesses.
• Have access to pertinent records and documents for review.
• Make an on-site inspection of facilities and operations.

If the complaint is substantiated, a formal conciliation effort may be required to determine corrective measures to resolve the complaint such as:

• The previously denied employment opportunity be made available.
• Compensation for any actual losses incurred because of the discrimination.
• Other actions to prevent or to eliminate the effects of discrimination.

If you are an employer

As an employer, it is your duty to understand and practice Equal Employment Opportunity. If you need more information please contact our office. There is no fee for services.