{"id":4681,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/discrimination-and-harassment.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T04:43:25","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T09:43:25","slug":"discrimination-and-harassment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/discrimination-and-harassment.html","title":{"rendered":"Discrimination and Harassment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Discrimination and Harassment<\/h1>\n
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\n By Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\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

You should not dread going to work each day. Humans spend between eight and 10 hours a day at work, and the atmosphere should be tolerable, if not enjoyable. Unfortunately, for too many people, discrimination and harassment make work a nightmare.<\/p>\r\n

Discrimination and harassment are illegal in the workplace. Federal and state laws protect workers from discriminatory hiring, firing, and retention practices. Harassment is a type of discrimination that is also prohibited by law. Employers are responsible for preventing discrimination and harassment.<\/a> They may be liable for policies and practices that encourage or tolerate such behavior.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding discrimination and what the law requires small business owners to do is essential to keeping your workplace safe and friendly for all your workers.<\/p>\r\n

Discrimination in Employment<\/h2>\r\n

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) oversees employment discrimination and harassment claims. The EEOC defines employment discrimination as:<\/p>\r\n

\u201cUnfair or unfavorable treatment of an individual or group based on their race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information (including family medical history)."<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/a> prevents discrimination against any person in the workplace based on these characteristics. Other federal laws<\/a>, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act<\/a> (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act<\/a> (ADA), and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)<\/a>, protect rights that were not written in the original Civil Rights Act.<\/p>\r\n

Avoiding Discrimination in the Workplace<\/h3>\r\n

Discrimination means unfair or disparate treatment of any person or group based on characteristics unrelated to their work performance. Business owners must create employment policies and practices that reduce workplace discrimination. Employers must follow state and federal regulations, including:<\/p>\r\n