Compliance Division

The Compliance Division enforces the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance. The Ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and the use of public accommodations. Executive Order 1-87 prohibits discrimination in the provision of City services.

Employment Discrimination

In employment, it is illegal to discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age 40 and over, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or retaliation.

Housing Discrimination

In housing, the bases of illegal discrimination are race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, any age, physical disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, presence of children, and source of income.

Public Accommodations and City Services Discrimination

In public accommodations and the delivery of City services, the bases of illegal discrimination are the same as in employment, with the exception that age and retaliation are not covered.

After an individual files a complaint of alleged discrimination, procedures are followed to bring about a timely resolution of the complaint. 

               Step 1: Intake

               Step 2: Investigation and Fact Finding

               Step 3: Continued Investigation

               Step 4: Finding of Probable Cause*

               Step 5: Conciliation*

               Step 6: Public Hearing*

               Step 7: Appeal Optional*

               Step 8: Complaint Closed

   *When at Step 3, the investigation has been completed and no evidence of discrimination has been found, the next 4 steps are eliminated.

Complaints investigated by the PCHR

must be filed no later than 300-days

after the last discriminatory act.