An Overview of Federal Laws That Protect Employees

Last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received over 76,000 discrimination claims. So if you’re the victim of workplace discrimination you, unfortunately, aren’t alone.

Want to learn more about your rights but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. Here are the key laws that protect employees from discrimination.

Equal Pay Act of 1963

This act ensures equal pay for men and women performing the same work. This holds for unions as well. It states that if both jobs need the same effort, skill, and responsibility, workers must get paid the same.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

This is one of the first laws that protect employees that prohibits discrimination based on religion, national origin, race, color, or sex. This holds for any businesses, agencies, or unions with more than 15 members. One cannot discriminate with regards to hiring, firing, payment, or employment conditions

If you’re facing discrimination of any of these types, don’t hesitate to get help with a lawsuit. The amount can potentially be life-changing.

Civil Rights Act of 1991

This act states that employers will pay damages when they practice employment discrimination. It also overruled some Supreme Court decisions that made job discrimination lawsuits difficult.

It provides a list of elements needed to prove a disparate impact claim. Juries can award damages in situations of intentional discrimination. It also lets individuals file private suits if retaliated against for filing a claim.

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

This is an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It modified the statute of limitations for filing pay discrimination lawsuits. The 180-day limit resets with each new discriminatory paycheck issued to the employee.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

This act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities from getting a job. It applies to all federal government agencies. It also applies to any employers receiving substantial federal contracts or financial assistance.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

This act applies to any business of 15 or more employees. It prevents discrimination against qualified individuals with a disability. These apply to both mental and physical handicaps.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

This act protects those aged 40 and older from age-related employment discrimination. It also set the stage for disparate impact claims, which need proof of an underlying goal of age discrimination. Additionally, a questionnaire about the event in question must be submitted within 60 days, and as long as it is on file, it can be later brought to court.

Finally, it also allows an avenue for filing private suits in cases of retaliation for filing a claim. Additionally, this act provides guidelines for pension and retirement plans.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

This act prevents discrimination based on genetic information. While that may seem like a ways away, with the advent of services like 23 and Me and AncestryDNA, genetic testing is becoming quite popular. This act means that employees can take these without fear of future discrimination.

Now You Know Laws that Protect Employees from Discrimination!

This is just a short list of the top laws that protect employees from discrimination. But the total list of laws is endless. For example, there are acts against pregnancy and military history discrimination, and even for those with “black lung”.

If you have experienced or are currently experiencing workplace discrimination, don’t wait. Get in contact with a lawyer today. And remember to check our blog often for more helpful legal information!