Discrimination law

This type of employment law is designed to prohibit discrimination in the workplace based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, or disability.

What is the source of employment discrimination law in the United States?

- "Employment discrimination law in the United States derives from the common law..."

In how many types of laws is employment discrimination codified?

- "Employment discrimination law in the United States... is codified in numerous state, federal, and local laws."

What do these laws prohibit?

- "These laws prohibit discrimination based on certain characteristics or 'protected categories.'"

Are government entities allowed to discriminate against public employees?

- "The United States Constitution also prohibits discrimination by federal and state governments against their public employees."

What does the Constitution's prohibition of discrimination not directly apply to?

- "Discrimination in the private sector is not directly constrained by the Constitution..."

Which federal law handles employment discrimination?

- "...but has become subject to a growing body of federal and state law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

What specific areas does federal law prohibit discrimination in?

- "Federal law prohibits discrimination in a number of areas, including recruiting, hiring, job evaluations, promotion policies, training, compensation and disciplinary action."

Do state laws provide additional protections beyond federal law?

- "State laws often extend protection to additional categories or employers."

What are some of the characteristics protected under federal employment discrimination law?

- "Under federal employment discrimination law, employers generally cannot discriminate against employees on the basis of race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental, including status), age (for workers over 40), military service or affiliation, bankruptcy or bad debts, genetic information, and citizenship status..."

What is included under the category of disability?

- "disability (physical or mental, including status)"

Which workers are protected based on age?

- "age (for workers over 40)"

Does federal law protect employees based on their military service?

- "military service or affiliation"

Are there any financial factors protected under federal employment discrimination law?

- "bankruptcy or bad debts"

Who is protected based on their citizenship status?

- "citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents, refugees, and asylees"

Does federal law protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation?

- "sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)"

Are employers allowed to discriminate based on someone's genetic information?

- "genetic information"

Can employers discriminate based on an employee's religion?

- "religion"

What is meant by "protected categories" in the law?

- "These laws prohibit discrimination based on certain characteristics or 'protected categories.'"

Can employers discriminate against pregnant employees?

- "pregnancy"

Do state laws differ in their scope of protection compared to federal law?

- "State laws often extend protection to additional categories or employers."