It is illegal for law enforcement to target someone. In addition, you can report discrimination if you were targeted by law enforcement because of:

• Age
• Color
• Disability
• Gender
• Gender Identity
• Housing Status
• Immigration Status
• Military Service
• National Origin
• Race
• Religion/Creed
• Sexual Orientation

It is illegal to physically threaten or use force against someone or to damage property. In addition, you can report discrimination if someone has physically threatened or use force against you or damaged your property because of:

• Age
• Color
• Disability
• Gender
• Gender Identity
• Immigration Status
• Marital or Partnership Status
• Military Service
• National Origin
• Presence of Children
• Race
• Religion/Creed
• Sexual Orientation

Your employer must have four or more workers for you to be protected by the City Human Rights Law. The Law prohibits discrimination in hiring and firing, as well as work assignments, salary, benefits, promotions, performance evaluations, and discipline based upon your actual or perceived membership or status in a group protected by the Human Rights Law.

The Law also prohibits discrimination based on arrest or conviction record, credit history, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses, unemployment, and caregiver status (caring for a child or sick family member).

Employers are prohibited from making statements, asking questions during interviews, or circulating job announcements that suggest a preference for or prejudice against hiring individuals based on their membership or status in a group protected by the Human Rights Law.

Although there are some exceptions, employers may not inquire about a job applicant’s prior salary history or a job applicant’s credit history. Also, most employers may not inquire about a job applicant’s conviction history until after making a conditional offer of employment.

The Law requires your employer to accommodate your disability, your ability to practice your religion, your pregnancy, or your needs related to being a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses.  

The Human Rights Law also applies to employment agencies and labor organizations.

The Fair Chance Act went into effect in July 2021. The act makes it illegal for most employers in New York City to ask about the criminal record of job applicants before making a job offer. Learn more about the Fair Chance Act.

As of May 10, 2020, covered employers are not permitted to test job candidates for marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) as a condition of employment. Learn which employers are covered by this rule and which jobs are exempt.

You can report discrimination based on:

• Age 
• Arrest Conviction Record
• Caregiver Status
• Color
• Credit History
• Disability
• Gender
• Gender Identity
• Immigration Status
• Marital or Partnership Status
• Military Service
• National Origin
• Pregnancy
• Race
• Religion/Creed
• Reproductive Health Decisions
• Salary History
• Sexual Orientation
• Status as Victim of Domestic Violence
• Sexual Violence
• Stalking
• Unemployment Status

It is illegal for landlords, superintendents, building managers, condominium owners, cooperative owners, boards, banks or other lenders to discriminate in the sale, rental, or lease of a home or in the provision of services and facilities because of your actual or perceived membership or status in a group protected by the Human Rights Law.

It is also illegal to discriminate in housing because children are or may be living with you, or because of your lawful occupation or source of income, including rental assistance, Section 8, LINC voucher, HASA, public assistance, SSI, or SSD.

Housing providers, including shelters and other forms of temporary or supportive housing, must permit residents to keep service animals or emotional support animals as a reasonable accommodation for a disability, unless it would cause an undue hardship to the housing provider.

It is illegal to discriminate based on:

• Age
• Color
• Disability
• Gender
• Gender identity
• Immigration status
• Lawful occupation
• Lawful source of income, including rental assistance, Section 8, CityFHEPS voucher, HASA, public assistance, SSI, or SSD
• Marital or partnership status
• Military service
• National origin
• Pregnancy
• Presence of children
• Race
• Religion/Creed
• Sexual orientation
• Status as victim of domestic violence
• Sexual violence
• Stalking

It is illegal to discriminate in lending practices or terms. In addition, you can report discriminatory lending practices based on:

• Age
• Color
• Disability
• Gender
• Immigration Status
• Marital or Partnership Status
• Military Service
• National Origin
• Presence of Children
• Race
• Religion/Creed
• Sexual Orientation

Any entity that provides goods and services to the general public is considered a public accommodation. Public accommodations include doctor's offices, stores, theaters, salons, stadiums, restaurants, taxis, bathrooms, and libraries. 

It is against the law for a public accommodation to:

• Withhold or refuse to provide goods or services
• Charge a different amount for the same goods or services
• Set different terms for obtaining goods or services
• Discourage you from using them
• Advertise or make statements that would make you feel unwelcome because of your actual or perceived membership or status in a group protected by the Human Rights Law 
• Refuse to accommodate your disability in accessing services

It is also against the Law to deny access to bathrooms based on gender, gender identity, and gender expression.

There are limited exemptions from the provisions of this law based upon gender and age.

You can report discrimination based on:

• Age
• Color
• Disability
• Gender
• Gender Identity
• Immigration Status
• Marital or Partnership Status
• Military Service
• National Origin
• Pregnancy
• Race
• Religion/Creed
• Sexual Orientation

You can get information at the Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens locations, but they do not accept complaints.

To file complaint, you must make an appointment at the Manhattan office by calling (212) 416-0197.

All offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Manhattan

22 Reade Street, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10007

Brooklyn

25 Chapel Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Bronx

1932 Arthur Avenue, Room 203A
Bronx, NY 10457

Queens

153-01 Jamaica Avenue, Room 203
Jamaica, NY 11432

Staten Island

60 Bay Street, 7th Floor
Staten Island, NY 10301