The umbrella of laws that protect against discrimination

On Behalf of | Jun 28, 2018 | Employment Discrimination |

Our readers who are familiar with previous posts here know that all kinds of discrimination still exist in workplaces in Minnesota and throughout the country, but also that there are laws in place to protect employees against discrimination and to hold employers who engage in this illegal conduct accountable. There is, in fact, what you could call an umbrella of laws in place to protect workers.

For instance, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, also known as the ADEA, protects workers throughout the country against discrimination based on age. And then there is the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA, which has been mentioned in previous posts here, and which protects workers and potential employees against discrimination based on disability status. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act also protects against what is considered a short-term disability: pregnancy.

Of course, there is no bigger protection in the law than the Civil Rights Acts that have been implemented into law. The first, enacted in 1964, Act created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, also known as the EEOC. The second, enacted in 1991, addressed intentional employment discrimination.

Although it is a sad reality that discrimination of any form exists in today’s society, the daily news cycle is a constant reminder of its existence. However, Minnesota residents who have experienced discrimination or harassment in the workplace are not without options. There may be any one of the existing laws that could provide protection and options for these workers, helping them to hold their employers accountable.