Commission Workshops

Commission staff works with organizations to provide free workshops to educate staff and community members about their rights and obligations under the law. Take a look at the workshops we offer below. For more information, feel free to contact your local Community Service Center or dial 311 or 212-416-0197.

To request a workshop for your organization, please fill out our Workshop Request Form.

Human Rights Law Overview

This workshop emphasizes the rights and obligations under the law in employment, housing, public accommodations, and prohibitions against discriminatory harassment and bias-based profiling by law enforcement.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Take the Commission’s online training.

Human Rights Law and Protections in Employment: The Fair Chance Act and Credit History Discrimination

The workshop provides a detailed review on the prohibitions contained in the law regarding the use of credit reports and criminal or conviction records in making employment decisions by employers, labor organizations and employment agencies. Exemptions under the law are also covered.

Working with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Communities

This workshop creates awareness that transgender New Yorkers face discrimination in all areas covered by the City Human Rights Law and that they must be treated with dignity and respect. The workshop covers protections under the City Human Rights Law, briefly addresses federal and state law and reviews in detail correct terminology when addressing the LBGTQI community.

Human Rights Law and Discrimination in Housing

This workshop provides information about protected classes in housing, emphasizing protections against discrimination based on lawful source of income and disabilities. It also covers unlawful, discriminatory lending practices and how the human rights law can protect against tenant harassment.

Rights of People with Disabilities in Housing and Public Accommodations

This workshop offers a brief introduction of the law and addresses in detail protections for persons with disabilities; terms and definitions, such as reasonable accommodations and undue hardship; and, accessibility issues.

Understanding Muslim Experiences and Combating Anti-Muslim Bias

This workshop promotes understanding of the City's diverse faith communities. The workshop addresses what is referred to as anti-Muslim racism, introduces Muslim beliefs and practices, outlines best practices in working with Muslim New Yorkers, and elaborates on the protections under the City Human Rights Law against discrimination based on religion.

Human Rights Law, Anti-Black Racism, and Other Forms of Discrimination Based on Race and Color

This workshop provides a historical context for race and color-based discrimination and how it has impacted the lives of New Yorkers, institutions, and the delivery of services and resources in New York City. The program educates New Yorkers on their rights and protections against discrimination under the Human Rights Law. Participants analyze concepts related to race and color, learn about efforts and resistance to combat racism, and ways to become the voices for social and racial justice.

Human Rights Law and Age Discrimination in Employment

This workshop provides information about age discrimination in employment and protections against age discrimination under the City Human Rights Law for all workers. Examples of age discrimination in employment are discussed, as well as best practices for employers.

Bystander Intervention Workshop

The Bystander Intervention workshop is built on the idea that we all play a role in creating safe public spaces for each other when we see our neighbors and community members facing bias, discrimination, or harassment.

Human Rights Law and Protections for Domestic Workers in Employment

This workshop provides an overview of the City Human Rights Law and protections for domestic workers in employment. The workshop covers what rights do domestic workers have under the law and what are the obligations of employers of domestic workers. Examples of violations of the law are discussed, as well as penalties and remedies, and filing a complaint with the Commission.

Understanding Jewish Experiences and Antisemitism

This workshop promotes understanding of the City's diverse Jewish communities. The workshop addresses antisemitism, its impact on Jewish New Yorkers, and its impact on larger society. It introduces Jewish history and practices, outlines best practices in working with Jewish New Yorkers, and elaborates on the protections for Jewish New Yorkers against discrimination, under the City Human Rights Law.

Restorative Justice and Restorative Practice Youth Workshop

The Restorative Justice and Restorative Practice Youth Workshop is a three-day training on restorative philosophy, circle facilitation and technique. Day One focuses on defining elements of restorative justice and restorative practice, the day-to-day practice and an introduction to circle keeping. Day Two focuses on developing a facilitation prep guide. Day Three recaps the circle keeping technique and dedicates time towards circle keeping practice.

Learning Outcomes:

• Participants will understand the restorative philosophy and historical context
• Participants will be able to adapt a restorative approach to their work
• Participants will be able to facilitate/co-facilitate a talking circle

Youth-Focused Workshops

Peer Mediation

This program consists of 10 sessions that help schools de-escalate tension between students, as well as empower students to develop their leadership skills, understand the nature of conflict and design their own solutions to conflict in a constructive and peaceful manner. Students develop communication skills, and work with school coordinators and teachers to resolve and mediate conflict among their classmates. The participants also learn to enforce a code of conduct to encourage respect and confidentiality during the mediation process. Students interested in participating in the program go through an interview and selection process.

She Speaks: Empowering Young Women

This program is tailored for students of all genders to builds self-esteem, amplify young women's voices, and address issues of gender equity. The program's five sessions cover human rights issues, women in history, gender diversity, and empowering young women in education and employment.

Human Rights Law 101

This program emphasizes the rights and obligations under the law in employment, housing, public accommodations, and prohibitions against discriminatory harassment and bias-based profiling by law enforcement.

Resisting Oppression and Racism (R.O.A.R)

Human Rights Law and Protections Against Discrimination Based on Race and Color

This program series provides a historical context for race and color-based discrimination and how it has impacted the lives of New Yorkers, institutions, and the delivery of services and resources in New York City. The three session program educates students on their rights and protections against discrimination under the Human Rights Law. Students analyze concepts related to race and color, learn about efforts and resistance to combat racism, and find ways to become the voices for social and racial justice.