Salt Lake City Council Passes Non-Discrimination Ordinance Protecting From Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identify

On November 10, 2009, the Salt Lake City Council passed an ordinance banning certain employers from discriminating against employees or job applicants “because of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” The ordinance does not give an employee a private right of action against an employer but permits a person to file a complaint with the City Administrator. After an investigation and conciliation efforts, the City can decide to file a claim against an employer found to have violated the ordinance. Employers of 50 or fewer employees are subject to a $500 fine while employer of 51 or more employee are subject to a $1000 fine for violations of the ordinance.