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What is employment discrimination?
Employment
discrimination occurs when employers base hiring, promotion, job
assignment termination and compensation decisions on an individuals:
- Race
- Sex
- Religion
- National Origin
- Physical disability
- Age
Of course there are exceptions to these laws for certain occupations but they apply to most jobs in the United States.
Race, Sex, Religion, National Origin
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to most
employers engaged in interstate commerce with more than 15 employees,
labor organizations, and employment agencies. The Act prohibits
discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
Sex includes pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. It
makes it illegal for employers to discriminate in hiring, discharging,
compensation, or terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Employment agencies may not discriminate when hiring or referring
applicants. Labor organizations are also prohibited from basing
membership or union classifications on race, color, religion, sex, or
national origin.
Physical Disability
The
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted to eliminate
discrimination against those with handicaps. It prohibits
discrimination based on a physical or mental handicap by employers
engaged in interstate commerce and state governments. The type of
discrimination prohibited is broader than that explicitly outlined by
Title VII.
The Black Lung Act prohibits discrimination by mine operators against miners who suffer from "black lung" (pneumoconiosis).
Age
The
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits employers from
discriminating on the basis of age. The prohibited practices are nearly
identical to those outlined in Title 7. An employee is protected from
discrimination based on age if he or she is over 40. The ADEA contains
explicit guidelines for benefit, pension and retirement plans.
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