What Constitutes Employment Discrimination?
Federal law makes it illegal to discriminate against a current employee or a job applicant in any way, including in hiring, firing, layoffs, terms of employment, ability to advance, or any work privilege based on: • Race • Color • National origin • Sex/gender • Pregnancy • Religion • Age • Disability or perceived disability • Participation in protected EEO activity • Sexual orientation (be executive order or under union contract) Some state and local laws expand upon these protections to include discrimination based on sexual orientation or other factors of identity. Collective bargaining agreements or organizational policies can create additional contract rights to protection from discrimination in employment.
