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FAQs

What do I do if I feel I've been discriminated against?
Call the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights at 441-7624. You will be asked some basic questions such as,

  1. did this happen within the City of Lincoln,
  2. how long ago did it occur,
  3. why do you think you were discriminated against,
  4. and if this is an employment complaint, how many employees are there in the business.

Does the Commission on Human Rights handle complaints from outside the city limits?
No, our jurisdiction is limited to within the city limits of Lincoln.

What are the areas of discrimination that your office covers?
Employment, Housing, and Public Accommodation.

What kinds of discrimination are handled?
Age, disability, religion, marital status, familial status, race, color, national origin, sex, ancestry or retaliation.

How long does it take to investigate a complaint?
An average of 6 months from the time of filing until resolution.

Do you investigate complaints against other City agencies, e.g. Police Department?
No, we do not handle complaints against other City agencies.

If you are unable to investigate my complaint, what other avenue do I have?
You can call the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission at 471-2024. Or the Regional Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Denver, Colorado at (303) 866-1300. Housing concerns can also be referred to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development in Kansas City, Kansas at (913) 551-6958.

How much does it cost to file a complaint?
There is no charge. The services of the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights are free of charge.

Quizzes

So, you think you are up to par on discrimination laws? We have a short quiz for you to test your expertise with. Answers follow...

1. Which of the following lists includes all of the protected classes covered under the Federal Fair Housing Act?

  1. Sex, political affiliation, race, age, marital status, disability.
  2. Source of income, age, national origin, race, color, religion.
  3. Age, sex, race, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, disability.
  4. Race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, disability.

2. Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following phrases is acceptable in property advertisements?

  1. Mature adult wanted.
  2. Ideal for physically fit.
  3. Near Mexican grocery store.
  4. Historic home with large porch.

3. Sara, an attractive, young blond, is new at her job. She quickly becomes known for her sense of humor, especially her cutting ‘blond jokes’. Pamela finds the jokes offensive, even though she is a brunette. When she says so to Sara, she is told to get a sense of humor and if she, as a blond, is not offended, then Pamela certainly shouldn’t be. Sara’s behavior is…

  1. Illegal
  2. Inappropriate
  3. Ok, since she is making fun of herself.
  4. Effective since she is showing his new colleagues that she has a sense of humor and is ‘one of them’.

Answers:

1. (D) Protected classes under the Fair Housing Act include race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, disability.

2. (D) Advertisements for housing must not show a preference or limitation based on a protected class.

3. (B) Jokes perpetuating stereotypes are always inappropriate even if they are targeted at yourself or told by someone from the targeted group.

How did you do? If you would like to test yourself further, try one of the links below.


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