Employment Discrimination: Federal Laws

Below is a list of several federal laws that prohibit a number of types of employment discrimination, and links to the full texts of those laws. (Note: Many states have civil rights laws of their own which mirror those at the federal level, so your state may have its own employment discrimination laws that are very similar to those identified below. In addition, municipalities like cities and counties can enact ordinances and laws related to civil rights.)

• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (FindLaw)
  Prohibits employers from discriminating against workers and applicants who are 40 years of age and older, based on their age.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (FindLaw)
  Protects persons with disabilities from discrimination in many aspects of life, including employment, education, and access to public accommodations.

• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Title VII (Equal Employment Opportunities) ( (FindLaw)
  Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

• Civil Rights Act of 1991 (Intentional Employment Discrimination) (FindLaw)
  To amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to strengthen and improve Federal civil rights laws, to provide for damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination, to clarify provisions regarding disparate impact actions, and for other purposes.

• Equal Pay Act of 1963 (FindLaw)
  Requires that employers pay all employees equally for equal work, regardless of whether the employees are male or female.

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FindLaw)
  Gives employees the right to take time off from work in order to care for a newborn (or recently adopted) child, or to look after an ill family member.

• Pregnancy Discrimination Act (EEOC)
  Prohibits employment discrimination against female workers who are (or intend to become) pregnant -- including discrimination in hiring, failure to promote, and wrongful termination.