The Civil Rights Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office conducts free training for employers, landlords, small-business owners, lawyers, and others throughout the state to promote compliance with fair employment and fair housing laws.
The workshops are geared toward prevention of discrimination, said Lori Anthony, chief of the Ohio Attorney General’s Civil Rights Section.
“These workshops came about because I started seeing a lot of cases against small-business employers and small-business landlords,” she said. “Rarely did the cases go to a hearing or trial; the vast majority settled. There was a violation, but they had to learn the lesson at the end of the line.
“If they had had the tools, or stopped to ask and get advice before making a rash decision, it might have saved them some resources.”
Employment discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or applicant differently based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, ancestry and/or military status.
Fair housing laws state that it is illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental, or financing of housing, or otherwise interfere with someone’s housing rights, based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, ancestry, disability, national origin, or military status.
“The damages under Ohio law for fair housing violations include emotional distress and punitive damages, which can be costly. What our workshops talk about is how to best comply,” she said.
The workshops can be tailored to a specific topic, such as what to do if someone has an emotional-support or service animal, questions a landlord can and cannot ask a prospective tenant, the legality of background checks, and the provision of reasonable accommodations.
The trainings can last from an hour to three hours and are offered to any audience, no matter the size.
“We can’t provide legal advice, but we can give them an overview of the law and give them enough information so they know when to ask for help,” Anthony said.
To schedule a workshop, call 614-466-7900.
Fair Employment Guide for Business Owners and
Fair Housing Guide for Landlords are available free online on the
Ohio Attorney General's website. (Look under “Business.”)