Being treated unfairly because of who you are can leave you hurt, frustrated and unsure where to turn. If you are facing discrimination in Albuquerque, the City’s Office of Civil Rights may provide a way to report it. Learning how the process works can help you understand your rights and decide your next step.
Check if your discrimination complaint qualifies
You can submit a complaint if you believe you received unfair treatment because of a characteristic protected by Albuquerque’s human rights rules. Civil rights rules address discrimination in areas such as employment, housing and public accommodations.
The ordinance protects people from discrimination based on characteristics such as race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and disability, along with other protected traits.
Meet the deadline and submit your complaint
You can make the process easier by keeping these points in mind:
- Keep track of the deadline: The City’s complaint process generally requires you to act within 90 days of the incident. Other laws may give you more time, so check the deadline that applies to your specific claim.
- Complete the intake materials: Provide the details the Office of Civil Rights requests about your complaint.
- Explain what happened: Describe the conduct, the date, the place of the incident and the person or organization involved.
- Keep your records: Save a copy of your complaint and any supporting documents you submit.
Clear details can help the office review your complaint. Keep copies of your records for future reference.
Know what happens after your complaint
The Office of Civil Rights first checks whether it can handle your complaint. If it can, the office may seek a settlement or investigate the matter by reviewing relevant information.
After the investigation, a city review body considers the evidence and decides whether probable cause exists. If it does, the parties may try to resolve the dispute through conciliation.
You deserve fair treatment
Feeling like you do not belong can hurt, especially when someone judges you for who you are. People may look, live, believe or communicate differently, but those differences should never justify unfair treatment.
You deserve dignity and respect. If you have faced or are facing discrimination in Albuquerque, using the City’s complaint process can help you address it and protect your rights.