The following are three major laws that govern discrimination in employment.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964:
Title VII of this historic Act made discrimination against an employee(or those seeking employment) based on race, sex, age, religion or national origin illegal. It is found in Volume 42 of the United States Code, beginning at section 2000e.
The American with Disabilities Act:
The American With Disabilities Act(known also as the ADA) was created to remove barriers preventing individuals from enjoying the same freedoms and benefits enjoyed by those without disabilities. The ADA protects individuals with disabilities in all employment practices such as recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, lay-offs, rif`s, pay, firingjob assignments, benefits and leave. It is also intended to ensure equal access in transportation, communication and cultural opportunities. The ADA can be located in Volume 42 of the United States Code beginning at section 12101.
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act:
Also known as the ADEA, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act provides that no person should suffer discrimination based on their age. Individuals who are over forty years of age and believe that they have suffered adverse employment actions such as termination, discipline, harassment, lay-offs, rif1s solely because of their age, may seek relief under this Act. It can be found in Volume 29 of the United States Code, beginning at section 621.
Helpful links
Government:
- http://www.eeoc.gov The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- http://www.ohr.dc.gov The District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights.
- http://www.mchr.state.md.us Maryland Commission on Human Relations.
- http://www.vec.virginia.gov Virginia Employment Commission.
- http://www.lawguru.com/ilawlib/home.htm The U.S. House of Representatives Internet Law Library. This page contains links to the U.S.C., Federal Register, Federal Court decisions and rules and state laws.
- http://www.gsa.gov/eeo/default.htm The U.S. General Services Administration offers this Equal Employment Opportunity page. Learn about EEOC guidelines and procedures.
- http://www.whitehouse.gov Email the President! Read the latest press releases and doings of the Executive Branch.
Legal sites:
- http://www.nela.org The National Employment Lawyers Association website. It offers a great legal page with links to the searchable Supreme Court and Circuit court collections, employment law brief collections and more.
- http://gsulaw.gsu.edu/metaindex The “Meta-Index for U.S. legal research.”
- http://www.versuslaw.com Offers a comprehensive law library, access to law journals and other law related sites.
- http://www.legalonline.com Along the same lines as versuslaw.com.
- http://www.lawmemo.com A great searchable site on any issue in employment law, EEOC regulations and guidelines, and the governing employment laws.
- http://www.ljx.com The “law journal” online. It offers access to articles and publications on current legal topics. It also provides links to law firm pages and practice area groups.
- http://www.bookwire.com An excellent site offering access to libraries all over the country. Entire books can be downloaded!
News/Media sites:
- http://www.courttv.com Court TV site offers the latest in legal news. Also offers a searchable database.
- http://www.washingtonpost.com Direct access to the Washington Post. It offers today’s news as well as a searchable archive for the last two weeks.
- http://www.washtimes.com The Washington Times is the Post’s rival newspaper with a more conservative slant. Also offers a searchable archive.