{"id":6015,"date":"2026-10-29T07:46:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T07:46:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/employer-counsel-employee-problems-florida\/florida-commission-human-relations-charge-employer-defense\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T01:19:53","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T01:19:53","slug":"florida-commission-human-relations-charge-employer-defense","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kewlegal.com\/resources\/employer-counsel-employee-problems-florida\/florida-commission-human-relations-charge-employer-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Commission on Human Relations Charge Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Employment Law for Employers | Coral Gables & Sunny Isles Beach<\/p>

Responding to a Florida Commission on Human Relations Charge<\/h1>

KEW Legal helps employers respond to charges filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, from the first notice through the investigation. Our team works with Kristina E. Wilson on each matter.<\/p>

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By Kristina E. Wilson \u00b7 Published October 29, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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A Florida Commission on Human Relations charge is a complaint that a worker files against an employer for alleged discrimination or retaliation. When a company receives one, a state process starts with fixed deadlines. This page explains the basics of a Florida Commission on Human Relations charge employer defense, the deadlines that matter most, and the usual order of work. It is general information, not advice on your specific file.<\/p>\n

What an FCHR charge is and who it applies to<\/h2>\n

An FCHR charge is an administrative complaint filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, not a lawsuit. The Act is found in sections 760.01 through 760.11 of the Florida Statutes, plus section 509.092 (Florida Statutes 760.02<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Under Florida Statutes 760.02<\/a>, an aggrieved person is any person who files a complaint with the Human Relations Commission. The 365-day filing window is set by Florida Statutes 760.11<\/a>. The complaint must name the employer and describe the violation (Florida Statutes 760.11<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Act covers employers of a certain size. Under the Act, an employer employs 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. A business below that count generally falls outside this definition.<\/p>\n

Once a complaint is filed, the Commission investigates. Within 5 days of filing, the Commission sends a copy to the person who allegedly committed the violation. That is usually the first the employer hears of the charge.<\/p>\n\n

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If your company just received a notice of charge, you may be facing a deadline while still running the business, and our team at KEW Legal can review it with you. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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Protected characteristics employers need to know<\/h2>\n

Under Fla. Stat. \u00a7 760.10<\/a>, it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discharge or fail or refuse to hire any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. It is unlawful for an employer to discharge, refuse to hire, or otherwise discriminate in pay, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of:<\/p>\n