Various anti-discrimination laws affect companies’ employment practices. Discrimination laws apply to everything from hiring to terminations, and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, administers these laws. Read on to learn more about employment discrimination law.
The Civil Rights Act’s Title VII
The Civil Rights Act’s Title VII applies to companies with more than 15 workers, and it bans discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, or national origin. Employers cannot make hiring or firing decisions based on these characteristics and they cannot promote, discipline or assign jobs based on them either. Companies must follow Title VII to keep a harassment-free workplace, and labor law attorneys in Northampton, MA, can help in that regard.
Pregnancy Discrimination
The PDA (Pregnancy Discrimination Act) of 1978 is a Title VII amendment. It prohibits discrimination based on childbirth, pregnancy, or related conditions, and it applies to all conditions including hiring, termination, promotion, benefits, and leave. As with Title VII, it applies to companies with 15 employees or more.
Age Discrimination
The ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act) of 1967 keeps employers from discrimination against employees who are 40 or older. This law covers discrimination in hiring, terminations, payment, discipline, benefits, and job assignation, and it applies to companies with more than 20 employees. To comply, employers cannot base decisions on age or their beliefs about older workers.
The ADA
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) of 1990 keeps employers from discriminating against workers based on mental or physical impairment. ADA covers aspects of employment such as applications, hiring, termination, compensation and leave, and it applies to companies with 15 workers or more. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals, but employees must request the accommodations.
Equal Pay
The EPA (Equal Pay Act) of 1963 bans wage discrimination based on gender. Companies must pay women and men equal wages when they perform equal jobs within the company, and the EPA applies to almost every employer. View website for more details about the labor law attorneys in Northampton, MA.
In addition to employment discrimination laws enacted by the federal government, some businesses are subject to state laws as well. Labor law attorneys in Northampton, MA, including Connor Morneau & Olin, can determine whether a business is in compliance with state laws on employment discrimination.
