Civil Rights Act of 1964

The base from which much of the current non-discrimination law has evolved.

Click here to find the complete act

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Also called the Fair Employment Practices Act.

-Prohibits discrimination in employment decision based on designated protected classes.     

-Protected classes under the act are race, color, sex (meaning gender) national origin, or religion.

-Conduct that is sexual in nature which results in discrimination is determined to be sexual harassment and violates Title VII.

Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requires an employer to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities that do not cause undue hardship to the employer.

The Family and Medical Leave Act

Guarantees eligible workers of covered employers unpaid time off from work for medical conditions.

May be allowed up to 12 weeks during any 12 month period for:

• Birth of a child
• Placement of a child for adoption or in foster care
• Serious health conditions of the employee
• Care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act

Prohibits employment discrimination based solely on age.

Applies to employees who are age 40 and older.

The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act amended the ADEA to prohibit age discrimination with regard to employee benefits.

State and Local Government Anti-discrimination Laws

All states and many local governments have adopted additional laws to prevent discrimination in employment.

The laws usually cover the same classes covered by federal law but may also include additional classes not protected by federal law.