Frequently Asked Questions And Answers (FAQs)
Discrimination
Doing Business With The City
About Volunteer Opportunities With City CommissionsBack
Discrimination
- I have been discriminated against by an employer with 14 or fewer employees. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department? It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin or marital status in any aspect of employment. The city investigates employment discrimination complaints against Phoenix employers of 14 or fewer employees.
It also is illegal for the city or any city contractor or supplier with more than 35 employees to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. The city also will investigate these complaints.
If you suspect you have been discriminated against in employment, call the Equal Opportunity Department Compliance and Enforcement Division voice line at 602-262-7486 or the TTY relay at 602-534-1557.
- I have been discriminated against by an employer with 15 or more employees. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department? ? The city refers these complaints to the federal or state government for investigation. It is illegal for these employers to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age or disability. Call the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at 602-640-5000 or the Arizona Attorney General's Office Civil Rights Division at 602-542-5263 if you believe you have been discriminated against.
- I have been discriminated against in housing. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department? It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion or disability in the sale, lease, rental, insuring or financing of housing. It is also illegal to discriminate against families with children. The Equal Opportunity Department investigates housing discrimination complaints that have occurred within the city of Phoenix. If you suspect you have been discriminated against in housing, call the Compliance and Enforcement Division voice line at 602-262-7486 or the TTY relay at 602-534-1557.
- I was refused service at a restaurant. Can I file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Department?
- I was retaliated against for complaining about smoking at my workplace. Can I file a complaint?
Doing Business With the City
- I am a supplier/contractor. How can I do business with the city of Phoenix? Contractors and suppliers wishing to do business with the city of Phoenix may file with the city as affirmative action employers. Firms can achieve compliance with city affirmative action requirements by filing forms showing they implement employment programs directed at increasing minority and female representation in the work force. These documents are available online at www.phoenix.gov\BUSINESS\certbus.html . The affirmative action form also is available through the Equal Opportunity Department Community and Business Relations Division, 251 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003-2295 or by calling 602-262-6790.
- I am a small business owner. How can I do business with the city of Phoenix? The Equal Opportunity Department administers a program to certify small businesses. The Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification Program ensures that small business owners in the community have an equal economic opportunity to obtain city business. The city's SBE Certification Program is designed to help small businesses interested in providing goods and services, as well as construction services, to the city. Business owners of any ethnic or racial background, male or female, may apply for SBE certification.
Criteria for certification include:
- All business owners have personal net worth below $750,000
- The firm has been in continuous operation for at least two years
- The business owner controls the day-to-day operation of the business and has a background in the firm's major business field
- The firm operates independently of any other non-qualifying firm
- The firm is a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration
Applications for certification as well as required Affirmative Action forms are available online at www.phoenix.gov/BUSINESS/certbus.html or by calling the Equal Opportunity Department Community and Business Relations Division at 602-262-6790.
- I am a minority/woman business owner. How can I do business with the city of Phoenix?
- All business owners have personal net worth below $750,000
- Applicant owns at least 51 percent of the firm
- Applicant operates and controls the business
- Firms must have been in business for six months and/or have completed four business contracts
Non-profit companies are not eligible for certification. Only firms located in Maricopa County are eligible for the city's M/WBE certification program. Firms outside Maricopa County may be certified as DBEs only. Qualified M/WBE firms in Maricopa County are eligible through the certification process for subcontracting goals and a 2.5 percent or 5.0 percent bid incentive.
To become certified, submit the application for certification and affirmative action form available online at www.phoenix.gov/BUSINESS/certbus.html . Applications also are available from the Equal Opportunity Department Community and Business Relations Division, 251 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003-2295 or by calling 602-262-6790.
About Volunteer Opportunities With City Commissions
- I am interested in serving on the Phoenix Human Relations Commission. How can I apply? Applications are available at www.phoenix.gov/CITYGOV/bdcomm.html . Applications also are available from the Equal Opportunity Department Community and Business Relations Division, 251 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003 or by calling 602-261-8242.
The Phoenix Human Relations Commission is comprised of 17 volunteer citizens appointed by the Mayor and City Council. It advises the City Council on human relations issues and assists in implementing the city's policy against discrimination. The commission also operates or supports programs designed to promote positive intergroup relations. The commission meets at 4:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Calvin Goode Building, 7th floor 704 conference room, 251 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. Meetings are open to the public and volunteers are encouraged to serve on commission subcommittees.
- I would like to serve on the Phoenix Women's Commission. How can I apply? Applications are available at www.phoenix.gov/CITYGOV/bdcomm.html . Applications also are available from the Equal Opportunity Department Community and Business Relations Division, 251 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003 or by calling 602-261-8242.
The Phoenix Women's Commission is composed of 18 citizens appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The commission works to identify and publicize issues of importance to women and to promote the participation of women in civic and public affairs. The commission meets at 5:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Calvin Goode Building, 7th floor 704 conference room, 251 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. Meetings are open to the public and volunteers are encouraged to serve on commission subcommittees.
- I want to go back to school, but I need financial assistance. Does the Phoenix Women's Commission have any financial assistance programs that can help me? The Phoenix Women's Commission sponsors the International Day Women's Scholarship Program. It is a financial assistance program based on income limitations that assists women interested in re-entering the education system or women beginning an educational endeavor. Applications for the program are available at the following educational institutions' financial aid offices:
- Arizona State University - 480-965-9509
- Arizona State University West - 602-543-6000
- DeVry Institute of Technology - 602-870-9222
- Gateway Community College - 602-286-8113
- Grand Canyon University - 602-639-6580
- Paradise Valley Community College - 602-787-7106
- Phoenix College - 602-285-7667
- Rio Salado Community College - 480-517-8311
- South Mountain Community College - 602-243-8130
- Western International University - 602-308-2099 x1113
- I am interested in serving on the Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues. How can I apply? Applications are available at www.phoenix.gov/CITYGOV/bdcomm.html . Applications also are available from the Equal Opportunity Department Compliance and Enforcement Division, 251 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. For more information, call the Compliance and Enforcement Division at voice line 602-262-7486 or the TTY relay at 602-534-1557.
The Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues recommends creative solutions to disability concerns and addresses accessibility issues in the community. The commission is comprised of 21 members and meets at 4:15 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Phoenix City Hall, assembly room A, 200 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. Meetings are open to the public and volunteers are encouraged to serve on commission subcommittees.