Monthly News & Updates

October 2023

Issue XXXVVVVVIII

Beginning October 1, 2023 Domestic Workers are protected under the D.C. Human Rights Act with the passage of the Domestic Workers Employment Rights Amendment Act of 2022 . The Act ensures that all domestic workers in the District are entitled to the same rights and protections as their counterparts in other industries, and domestic workers who feel their rights were violated while on the job can now submit claims for discrimination to OHR.

Read the Press Release

Director's Note

አማርኛ (Amharic) | 中文 (Chinese) | Français (French)

한국어 (Korean)| Español (Spanish) |Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Dear Residents, Neighbors, and Friends:

Welcome to October! For OHR, this is an exciting yet busy time of year as we end one fiscal year and begin a new one. OHR is starting Fiscal Year 24 strong by enforcing new protections for the District’s domestic workers under the newly enacted Domestic Workers Employment Rights Amendment Act. This new law, effective October 1, 2023, allows domestic workers, just like any other worker in the District, to file a legal claim with the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) when they feel they have been subjected to discrimination based on 18 protected traits, such as race, national origin, or sexual orientation .

As a community partner, OHR has been working with the domestic worker community and I look forward to continuing this relationship with both domestic workers and District households to ensure that our workers and residents understand the new legal protections and responsibilities. You can learn more from our newly published guidance, available in multiple languages, here.

As October is LGBTQ+ History Month, we are celebrating the achievements and contributions of the District's LGBTQ+ community by partnering with the Mayor’s Office on LGBTQ Affairs and developing two new inclusive language guides: Words Matter: A Guide to Inclusive Language around Sexual Orientation and Words Matter: A Guide to Inclusive Language around Gender Identity and Expression. The two guides will provide helpful information to employees, residents, and visitors as they learn to engage more thoughtfully in conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity. Once these guides are published, you can look for them on our website under Inclusion and Equity Resources.

October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year’s theme for NDEAM, “Advancing Access & Equity,” celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its importance in prohibiting discrimination based on disability in employment by federal agencies, federal contractors, and recipients of federal funds, and in the delivery of federally funded programs and activities. Although OHR does not have jurisdiction over federal government, we have jurisdiction over private entities and DC government to investigate, adjudicate, and prosecute disability complaints brought under the DC Human Rights Act. You can learn more about what inclusion and accessibility look like in the DC workplace here.

The District continues to be a champion in eradicating discrimination against domestic violence victims with the Employment Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Offenses, and Stalking (DVOS) Amendment Act, which OHR enforces. In addition, the DC Council unanimously approved the first two votes of a bill that eliminates the mandatory 6-month or 1- year divorce waiting periods before it is granted in the District. This will empower people to leave abusive relationships earlier. If you or someone you know needs more information about employment protections through OHR, please refer to our guidance here.

Finally, October also brings Halloween, our beloved non-holiday holiday filled with tricks and treats. Many people mistakenly associate Halloween with Día de los Muertos but the two are not the same. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Latin holiday celebrated beginning November 1st, through November 2nd and is a celebration of life, and families honor their deceased loved ones by creating altars, and offering food and gifts to coax the spirit of the family members back to Earth. It is important to acknowledge the differences of these holidays because it fosters a sense of unity through the acknowledgment of unique cultural practices and ensures that each celebration is understood and appreciated in its unique context

Yours in Service,

Hnin Khaing

Director

Trait of the Month:

Under the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, "Status as a Victim or a Family Member of a Victim of DVSOS is a protected trait.

DID YOU KNOW: Did You Know? My Sister’s Place is a D.C. based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that shelters, supports, and empowers survivors of domestic violence and their children. In FY 22, they served 347 survivors through the Sanctuary Emergency Shelters, RISE, RISE Plus, and FRSP programs and helped 131 survivors transition into permanent housing.

What's New and Upcoming

Beginning Oct 1, 2023, OHR is enforcing the Domestic Worker Employment Rights Amendment Act 2022, and OHR wants to ensure workers know their rights and employers know how to comply with the law.

A summary of the act is as follows:

Fair Treatment for All Workers: Ensure domestic workers are protected like other workers.
Safe and Healthy Workplaces: Ensure that domestic workers have the same rules to keep them safe and healthy while they work.
Clear Agreements: Make sure everyone knows the rules by having written agreements between workers and employers.

For more information, translations, and resources, please visit our page.

And, if you are a domestic worker who feels like your rights were violated while on the job, you can submit claims for discrimination to OHR here.

Events and Observances

MOVA's Monthly Veteran's Roundtable: This event aims to connect the District's veterans with information, resources, and organizations that may be beneficial to a successful military transition. The event consists of an informal discussion that revolves around varying topics including housing, employment, healthcare, and legal services. Upon the conclusion of the discussion, all resource providers in attendance offer feedback on any topics discussed or how they can assist the veteran or their family in a positive capacity.