Analyzing Employment Discrimination
Below are some brief explanations regarding several types of discrimination and related federal employment laws.
Age Discrimination:
Age discrimination can occur when an employee or an applicant for employment is treated less favorably because of his/her age. Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against individuals who are age 40 or older. This law applies to hiring, firing, job assignments, demotions, promotions, layoffs, training, benefits, and other workplace issues. Moreover, an employment policy, procedure, or practice that applies to all employees, regardless of age, may still be unlawful if it has a negative impact on employees or applicants age 40 or older.
Sex Discrimination
Sex discrimination can occur when an employer treats an employee or an applicant for employment unfavorably because of that person's sex. Sex discrimination is unlawful throughout many aspects of employment, including layoffs, hiring, firing, demotions, promotions, job assignments, reductions in force, and more.
Religion
Discrimination
Religion discrimination can occur when an employer treats an employee or an applicant for employment unfavorably because of his or her religious beliefs. Many employers may not appreciate the fact that the law protects not only individuals who practice traditional, organized religions, such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, but also others who have genuinely held religious, moral, or ethical beliefs.
Disability Discrimination
Disability discrimination can occur if an employer or other entity covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, treats a qualified individual with a disability unfavorably because he or she has a disability.
Equal Pay/Compensation
Under the Equal Pay Act, employers can be liable for not providing men and women in the same workplace equal pay for the same work. Salary, stock options, bonuses, overtime pay, vacation, insurance benefits, holiday pay, and other benefits are covered by law. An inequality in wages between men and women can cause employers to face damaging lawsuits.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Pregnancy discrimination can occur when an employer treats a woman (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth.