A respondent is most often an employer, a housing provider or an educational institution. The conference is held in the Commission Office. This conference is informal and no persons are under oath. The points set forth in the complaint are discussed with each party given full and adequate opportunity to state information they feel pertinent. The complainant may reinforce allegations and the respondent may attempt to refute them.
Voluntary settlement is encouraged and is the goal during all phases of the process.
A No Probable Cause finding means that in the opinion of the staff, based on information gathered during the investigation, the respondent did not engage in an unlawful discriminatory practice. At this point, the case is closed, however, the complainant may appeal the finding. Initially, Commission staff maintains a position of neutrality. Should the Commission staff make a Probable Cause finding, its role than changes to one of advocacy for the Complainant. A Probable Cause finding means that in the opinion of the staff, the respondent did commit an unlawful discriminatory act against the complainant and staff urges that the respondent grant a remedy to the complainant to satisfy the complaint.