Workplace Discrimination and Harassment

Several federal and state laws protect employees from discrimination on the basis of a number of factors, such as sex or gender, race, color, age, national origin and more.

Here are some forms of discrimination that state and/or federal law considers unlawful.

Gender Discrimination

Gender discrimination refers to discrimination based on sex with respect to all terms and conditions of employment –

• Hiring
• Compensation
• Promotion
• treatment on the job
• termination

Employment decisions can’t be based on stereotypes or assumptions about the abilities, traits, or performance capability of individual employees based on gender. In addition, the law prevents retaliation against employees who oppose sex discrimination.

Race Discrimination

Federal and state laws also forbid an employer from discriminating against an employee based on race – whether it is about being treated less favorably, being offered fewer opportunities for promotion, or termination and more.

National Origin Discrimination

An employee can’t be discriminated against, on the basis of national origin. The Civil Rights Act (1964), and several state and local laws, make it illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of their national origin.

Age Discrimination

The ADEA or Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits discrimination against workers age 40 and over, on the basis of their age. This includes hiring, promotions, training, salary, job assignments and termination.

Disability Discrimination

The Americans with Disabilities Act and state laws protect employees against discrimination on the basis of disability.

Family Responsibility Discrimination

Family responsibility discrimination refers to workplace discrimination based on biases about how employees with caregiving responsibilities should act. When an employee’s family responsibilities change, for example, a child is born or a family member needs caretaking, employers cannot act upon discriminatory biases.

Political Affiliation Discrimination

Laws that prohibit political affiliation discrimination vary depending on –

• location
• public or private sector employment

For federal government employees, there is some protection against discrimination on the basis of political affiliation. Talk to your attorney if you feel you are being discriminated against, on the basis of political affiliation.

Pregnancy Discrimination

Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy for most employees, including, but not limited to –

• less favorable treatment
• fewer workplace opportunities
• termination
• refusal to hire

Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Many state and local laws protect employees from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as well as retaliation for opposing unlawful discriminatory practices.

Religious Discrimination

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and many state laws, prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of religion, whether it is in the form of adverse employment actions, or harassment.

To learn more, consult one of the leading workplace discrimination and harassment lawyers in Phoenix, AZ at Chahbazi Law PLLC or call 602-282-5868 Now! Attorney Meenoo Chahbazi uses her extensive experience and passion for employment equality to represent Arizona employees in a wide range of employment matters. 

About This Author

EmployeeLawoffice Joined: November 19th, 2019