Cleveland bans discrimination based on gender identity and expression
Cleveland’s city ordinances already prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. As of this week, you can add “gender identity and expression” to Cleveland’s expansive list of protected classes. Violations carry a potential $1,000 fine and 30-day jail sentence.
Cleveland’s ordinance may be foreshadowing of broader state and federal legislation, both of which would grant protected status for sexual orientation and gender identity:
- Ohio House passes bill banning sexual orientation discrimination; fight moves to Senate
- Do you know? Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination
- ENDA Now “Top Priority” for Obama Administration (courtesy of Paul Secunda at the Workplace Prof Blog)
For now, if you are an employer located in the City of Cleveland, at a minimum you should amend your EEO and anti-discrimination policies to cover gender identity.
Presented by Kohrman Jackson & Krantz, with offices in Cleveland and Columbus. For more information, contact Jon Hyman, a partner in our Labor & Employment group, at (216) 736-7226 or jth@kjk.com.