Human Relations Commission
The City of Anderson Human Relations Department reflects the commitment of
the City of Anderson to the preservation of equal rights for all people. It is
responsible for promoting equal opportunity both for City employees and the
general public. This is accomplished through voluntary affirmative action
policies, enforcement, education, community involvement and development
programs. These programs are carried out by a combination of paid staff and
volunteer citizen panels appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of
the City Council.
The Anderson Human Relations Commission receives and investigates complaints
and seeks to resolve them through conciliation, findings of probable cause or no
probable cause of discrimination, recommendations of damage payments or criminal
prosecution.
It is the public policy of the City of Anderson to provide all of its
citizens equal opportunity for education, employment, access to and use of
public accommodations and equal opportunity for acquisition of real property, as
these are declared civil rights. Denying these rights to persons because of
race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, or disability is contrary
to principles of freedom and equality of opportunity and are considered
discriminating practices. The promotion of equal opportunity is the purpose of
this Commission.
The Anderson Human Relations Commission is composed of eleven members
representative of the racial, ethnic, religious, economic, sexual and
educational groups from the Anderson City Community. These members are volunteer
citizens appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of City Council.
Each Commissioner serves a 3 year term.
The Commission is charged with implementing the City’s policy against
discrimination and with guiding the enforcement of the City’s affirmative action
and antidiscrimination ordinances. It also works to promote positive intergroup
relations.
The Director works closely with the Commissioners to effectively carry out
the duties of the Commission. The Commission meets the fourth (4th) Wednesday of
each month at 4:15 p.m. in the City Building, 120 East 8th Street in Room 201.
The meetings are open and the public may attend.
The Commission is responsible for implementing, enforcing and promoting equal
opportunity. The Commission has the power to subpoena witnesses, compel their
attendance, administer oaths and take testimony of any person under oath. They
may also prevent any retaliatory actions from occurring toward any person who
has filed a charge of discrimination or testified in any hearing before the
Commission.
The Anderson Human Relations Commission enforces the City’s Ordinance 39-80,
as amended, which prohibits any form of discrimination in employment based on
race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry or disability.
If unlawful discrimination is found in the area of employment, the employer
will be required to conciliate with the discriminated party. The conciliation
may include reinstatement to position (if the person was released from
employment), retroactive pay, neutral references and other affirmative actions
taken concerning fair employment.
In order to eliminate prejudice among the various racial, religious and
ethnic groups in the City and to further good will among such groups, the
Commission, in cooperation with the Anders City School Corporation, local
colleges and universities may prepare a comprehensive educational program,
designed to emphasize cultural awareness, identify the origin of prejudice among
such minority groups, its harmful effects, and its incompatibility with the
principles of equality.
It is deemed unlawful in the City of Anderson to discriminate in places of
public accommodation because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin,
ancestry or disability. This applies to all public places of entertainment,
amusement or recreation; restaurants; hotels; health facilities and all
establishments which cater to or offer services, facilities, or goods to or
solicit patronage from members of the general public.
The City of Anderson upholds and enforces public policy concerning equal
rights to housing and the acquisition of real property. The Commission
investigates complaints of discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex,
national origin, ancestry, disability and familial status. It is considered an
act of unlawful discrimination to refuse to rent, sell or lease property to
persons because of these distinctions.
If unlawful discrimination is found in the area of housing or acquisition of
real property, the Commission may impose such fines and penalties as provided
for in Ordinance 20-88 (Fair Housing Ordinance) and Ordinance No. 3-90, as
amended and/or direct the Commission’s Attorney to seek injunctive relief,
actual damages, and punitive damages for and on behalf of the Complainant.
The City of Anderson supports the belief that the disabled should be given
equal opportunity to choose and prepare for occupations compatible with their
abilities and potentialities and that they should be given equal opportunity in
selection, appointment and advancement in employment. It also believes that
disability should not be a barrier to full and equal participation in all phases
of community life.
A “disabled person” refers to anyone who: (1) has a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (i.e.
caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing,
speaking, breathing, learning, and work); (2) has a record of such impairment
(has a history of, or has been classified as having a mental or physical
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities); or (3)
is regarded as having such an impairment.
The Commission assists in receiving complaints of discrimination against the
disabled and works to ensure that City facilities are accessible to those with
physical disabilities and that reasonable accommodation is made for disabled
employees.
City of Anderson
Human Relations Department
Who: Any U.S. citizen claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice
or act within Anderson city limits may file and sign a complaint with the
Commission.
When: A complaint must be filed within 180 days from the date of the last
occurrence of the alleged discriminatory practice. The complaint must be signed
and notarized by a notary public. A notary public is available within the
department.
Where: The Human Relations Department, 120 E. 8th Street/P.O. Box 2100,
Anderson, IN 46018.
How: Complaints will be accepted and may be filed by either personal delivery
or by mail. The Commission’s staff will be available and will provide assistance
in drafting and filing the complaint if needed.
Referrals of Complaints
Any U.S. citizen claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory practice or act
and the act did not take place within the Anderson city limits, the citizen may
still file a complaint with the Anderson Human Relations Commission. In return,
the Commission will forward the complaint to the appropriate agency. The
appropriate agency may be the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or
the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC).
Training
Upon request, the staff may provide training for your employees, students,
etc.
Examples of seminar topics that can be addressed are as follows:
1. Sexual Harassment
2. Americans with Disability Act of
1990
3. Cultural Diversity
4. Recruitment & Selection
5. Civil
Rights Act of 1991
6. Managing within the Law
7. Fair Housing
8. When
to File a Complaint
9. Legal Employment
Practices
A. Applications
B. Fair Labor Standard
Issues
C. Interviewing
The City of Anderson Human Relations Department is anxious to serve you with
answers to questions you might have concerning equal opportunity or affirmative
action.
If you want more information or if you have any questions about filing a
complaint or Equal Employment Opportunity laws, please contact:
City of Anderson
Department of Human Relations
120 East 8th
Street
P.O. Box 2100
Anderson, IN 46018
765/648-6135