Laws and Regulations


These links will take you to specific equal employment opportunity laws and regulations, and to sites where you can search for employment laws and regulations. These laws and regulations have been interpreted through numerous court decisions, and enforcement agency opinions, that you must consider to understand the current law on particular issues. The descriptions following the links below provide only a brief summary of each law, regulation, or site. You must examine the linked material to learn the specific provisions and coverage of the laws and regulations.

United States of America

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits employment discrimination because of race, color, sex, national origin, and religion. Prohibits retaliation for opposing discrimination, filing a complaint, or participating in a related proceeding.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

Prohibits employment discrimination because of age against persons age 40 and older. Prohibits retaliation for opposing age discrimination, filing a complaint, or participating in a related proceeding. This law was amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act which sets minimum criteria that must be satisfied before a waiver of any ADEA right is considered a "knowing and voluntary" waiver.

Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, Titles I and V

Prohibits employment discrimination because of: mental and physical disabilities that substantially limit a major life activity; or having a record of a disability; or being regarded as having a disability. Requires reasonable accommodation of mental and physical disabilities.

Civil Rights Act of 1991

Provides for the recovery of compensatory and punitive damages in actions under Title VII and the Americans With Disabilities Act, and addresses other aspects of discrimination law, including disparate impact claims, mixed motive cases, seniority systems, coverage of U. S. citizens employed abroad by American corporations, and expert witness fees.

Equal Pay Act of 1963

Prohibits wage differentials based on sex for jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and are performed under similar working conditions in the same establishment ("equal pay for equal work").

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Sections 501 and 505

Prohibits employment discrimination against disabled persons who are employed by federal government agencies, federal contractors, and recipients of federal financial assistance. Requires federal contractors to use affirmative action in recruiting and employing disabled persons.

Federal Family and Medical Leave Act

Provides that eligible employees may take up to 12 weeks of leave during a 12-month period if an employee's serious health condition makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of their job; or to care for a newborn or adopted child; or to care for the employee's spouse, child, or parent who has a serious helath condition.

EEOC Procedural Regulations, 29 CFR Section 1601 et.seq.

Regulations of the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that describe its handling of charges of employment discrimination, and its positions on legal issues.

EEOC's new Regulations on Federal Sector Equal Employment Opportunity,
29 CFR Section 1614

These regulations describe the new process for handling employment discrimination complaints made by employees of most federal government agencies.

Federal Executive Order 11246

This executive order, and others administered by the U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, require non-discrimination and reporting by federal government contractors and subcontractors.

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Compliance Laws and Regulations

Regulations applicable to federal government contractors regarding non-discrimination in employment, affirmative action, and compliance reviews.

United States Code, Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 21, Civil Rights

Federal statutes that protect civil rights, including Sections 1981, 1981a, and 1983.

United States Department of Agriculture, Immigration Reform and Control Act Non-Discrimination Provisions

Discrimination against aliens authorized to work, or discrimination in favor of authorized alien workers, is unlawful for farm employers with four or more employees.

U.S. Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures

Guidelines issued jointly by the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice on discrimination in employee selection procedures.

Other Sources of Laws and Regulations

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