{"id":357685,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/employment-discrimination\/dealing-with-multinational-employers.html"},"modified":"2025-04-28T14:58:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:58:54","slug":"dealing-with-multinational-employers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/employment-discrimination\/dealing-with-multinational-employers.html","title":{"rendered":"Your Rights When Working for Multinational Employers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your Rights When Working for Multinational Employers<\/h1>\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Employment discrimination is unfair treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, sex, age, or disability. It can affect various aspects of employment, including hiring, layoffs, and compensation. Protected characteristics are defined by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, which aim to prevent such discrimination. These laws apply to most U.S. employers and also have implications for multinational companies operating in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Maybe you’re considering a work transfer outside the United States. Or perhaps you already work in another country and have noticed that sexual harassment<\/a> seems to be part of the work culture. You know that we have laws in the U.S. that prohibit employment discrimination. But do those protections help you in a foreign nation? Or with a foreign company here? Oftentimes they do. But the definitive answer will depend on a few factors.<\/p>\r\n

If you suspect you may be experiencing workplace discrimination or another employment issue here or abroad, it’s best to consult an experienced employment attorney<\/a>. They can help you navigate the various laws involved so you can determine the best way to proceed.<\/p>\r\n

In this article, we’ll explore the reach of U.S. workplace discrimination and other laws to multinational companies. Let’s begin by ensuring we understand what employment discrimination is.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Employment Discrimination?<\/h2>\r\n

Employment discrimination<\/a> is the unfair treatment of an employee or job applicant because of their protected characteristics. We also sometimes refer to it as "workplace discrimination." It can occur in any aspect of the employment relationship. This may include employment decisions or actions concerning:<\/p>\r\n