District of Columbia Equal Employment Opportunity Poster Required

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Workplace Poster
Updated: May 17, 2024

Know Your Rights in the District of Columbia
DC Human Right Act
In accordance with the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, the District of
Columbia and employers cannot discriminate on the basis of (actual or perceived): 1
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Race
Color
Sex (including pregnancy)
National Origin
Religion
Age
Martial Status
Personal Appearance

• Sexual Orientation
• Gender Identity and
Expression
• Family Responsibilities
• Matriculation
• Political Affiliation
• Genetic Information
• Disability

• Credit Information
• Status as a victim or family
member of a victim of
Domestic Violence, Sexual
Offense or Stalking (DVSOS)
• Homeless Status

Sexual harassment and harassment based on other protected categories is prohibited by the Act.
If you believe a violation of the Act has occurred, you can file a complaint with the District of Columbia
Office of Human Rights. The process is free and does not require an attorney. Damages can be awarded
if it is determined that a violation of the Act did occur.

DC Family Medical Leave Act
The DC Family and Medical Leave Act of 1990 requires all employers with 20 or more employees to
provide up to 16 weeks of unpaid family leave:
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for the birth of a child, an adoption or foster care; or
to care for a seriously ill family member.

It also allows up to 16 weeks of unpaid medical leave:
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to recover from a serious illness that left the employee unable to work for a total of 32 weeks
during a 24 month period.

During the period of leave, an employee should not lose benefits such as seniority or group health plan
coverage. The employer may require medical certification and reasonable prior notice when applicable.

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Additional categories protected from discrimination but not in the area of employment include: familial status, source of
income, place of residence or business, sealed eviction record, and status as a victim of an intrafamily offense.

An employee is eligible under the Act if they have been employed by the employer for at least 12
consecutive or non-consecutive months in the seven years immediately preceding the start of the family
or medical leave, and worked at least 1,000 hours during these 12 months.

DC Parental Leave Act
In accordance with the DC Parental Leave Act of 1994, an employee who is a parent shall be entitled to a
total of 24 hours leave 2 during any 12-month period to attend or participate in school-related events for
his or her child.
A parent is defined as the:
• biological mother or father of a child;
• person who has legal custody of a child;
• person who acts as a guardian of a child;
• aunt, uncle, or grandparent of a child; or is
• a person married to a person listed above.
A school-related event means an activity sponsored either by a school or an associated organization.
Any employee shall notify the employer of the desire to leave at least 10 calendar days prior to the event,
unless the need to attend the school-related event cannot be reasonably foreseen.

Filing a Complaint of a Violation
If you believe an employer has wrongfully denied you family or medical leave, or retaliated against you
under this statute, you can file a complaint within one year of the incident with the Office of Human
Rights (OHR). To file a complaint, visit:
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Online at ohr.dc.gov; or
In-Person at 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001.

Questions about the OHR process can also be answered by phone at (202) 727-4559

Leave is unpaid unless the parent elects to use any paid family, vacation, personal or compensatory leave provided by the
employer.

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