Discrimination

What Is Discrimination

Congress and most states have passed laws that require equal employment opportunity (EEO) by prohibiting discrimination. Most of the federal discrimination laws apply to companies with 15 or more employees. The age discrimination law applies to companies of 20 or more employees. Both apply to U.S. citizens working abroad for U.S. owned or controlled companies. Make sure your managers know what is discrimination, and are trained to handle it.

For disability, pregnancy and family medical leave discrimination, see our disability law section. For harassment (on any basis), see harassment.

Below you will find our answered Ask the Lawyers questions and eNews articles grouped under FAQ categories.

What is Discrimination In The Workplace FAQs

• What are the rights of members of Armed Forces?
• What are the rights of LGBT people in the workplace?
• When is it age discrimination?
• What is sex discrimination?
• When is it race or national origin discrimination?
• When is it religious discrimination?
• When is discrimination legal?
• What procedures prevent discrimination?
• What are the California harassment compliance training regulations?

Stop Costly Lawsuits

The US Supreme Court says that training and procedures protect employers from punitive damages for discrimination.

• Managing Within the Law
• Harassment Compliance Training

FAQs

What are the rights of members of Armed Forces?

• What are rights of military spouses?

What are the rights of LGBT people in the workplace?

• My manager outed me as transgender at a meeting, what recourse do I have?
• SCOTUS Upholds LGBT Rights
• Can my supervisor tell others that I am transgender?

When is it age discrimination?

• Eli Lilly Pays Twice in Settlements For Favoring Younger Employees Over Older Ones
• Happy 50^th Birthday, Age Discrimination in Employment Act!

What is sex discrimination?

• Don’t Refuse to Hire Her Because You Assume She Can’t Lift Heavy Weight
• Subordinate’s Gender Bias Creates Liability
• Employee Wins Discrimination Lawsuit Due to Manager’s Implicit Bias

When is it race or national origin discrimination?

• Racial Harassment Remains Prevalent in Workplaces
• Be Aware of Your Own Stereotypes About Asians
• “Reprehensible” Employer Fired Its Only Black Employee To Solve A Racial Problem
• Can my manager tell me how to wear my hair?

When is it religious discrimination?

• Can I be fired for asking my employer to stop using profanity in my presence?

When is discrimination legal?

• Can potential employers require photographs of job applicants?

What procedures prevent discrimination?

• Supreme Court to Decide Burden of Proof for “Reverse Discrimination” Claimants
• AI, Algorithms, and Employment Law
• Can an employer require a photograph of a job applicant?