Human Rights & Fair Employment Practices

Procedure for Filing Discrimination and Unlawful Harassment Complaints

• A complainant (employee or applicant) should contact the Office of Human Rights and Fair Employment Practices or the Fair Employment Practices Liaison (FEPL), and state the nature of his/her claim.   The Fair Employment Practices Liaison (FEPL) or the Fair Employment Practices Specialist will advise the complainant of other avenues for filing discrimination complaints, including the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the State of Florida Commission on Human Relations.  Complainants who have not furnished requested information in a timely manner after filing a complaint with OFEP may have their cases inactivated.
   
• The FEPL will notify OFEP of any complaint filed within the department.
   
• The Fair Employment Practices Liaison (FEPL) notifies the complainant of the option to file a claim with OFEP.  The Fair Employment Practices Liaison (FEPL) will then make an effort to resolve the complaint internally.   If unable to do so, the complaint will be referred to OFEP.
   
• If a complaint is filed directly with OFEP, and no potential conflict of interest exists, the Director or designee of the complainant's department will be notified of receipt of the complaint and the impending investigative process.  Complaints may be resolved through conciliatory approaches, including inquiries and meetings with relevant departmental officials and conflict resolution techniques.  Conflicts with potential discriminatory overtones, between supervisors and employees or among co-workers, may be addressed through a structured mediation process.
   
• OFEP will conduct an investigation and determine whether a violation has occurred and prepare a report containing its findings.  The investigation involves fact-finding interviews of witnesses, supervisors, other employees and interview panels, and an analysis of personnel documents and other records.  The report of the investigation includes findings and conclusions as to whether the facts support the allegations.
   
• If violations are found to have occurred, the Director of the Office of Human Rights and Fair Employment Practices makes recommendations to the Director of the complainant's department for prompt corrective action, including remedial relief for the victim and appropriate disciplinary action against the respondent.  If no violations have been found, OFEP may still make recommendations to improve the work environment.
   
• Upon the completion of the investigation, OFEP will send the Department and the complainant close-out letters with the final disposition of the case.  The complainant has the right to appeal to the County Manager.
   
• If the Department rejects the findings and recommendations and the matter cannot be conciliated between the Department Director and the Director of OFEP, it is referred to the County Manager for binding resolution.