The Asheville and Buncombe County ordinances prohibit discrimination in employment and businesses and institutions open to the public based on “race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age or disability.”
The rules on employment do not apply to religious institutions and associations or educational institutions controlled by religious groups. Those on public accommodation do not apply to private clubs. And among other exceptions, employers are entitled to have drug testing programs, make employment decisions on the basis of seniority and force workers to retire at age 65.
Violations are punishable by fines of $100 a day. To read the ordinances, visit avl.mx/bdg and avl.mx/bcz.
To report discrimination or for more information about the ordinances, visit avl.mx/bd1 or call 828-232-4517 for city government. For county government, visit avl.mx/bd2 or call 828-250-4059.
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