{"id":4693,"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\/employment-and-anti-discrimination-laws-an-introduction.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T05:00:14","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T10:00:14","slug":"employment-and-anti-discrimination-laws-an-introduction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/employment-and-anti-discrimination-laws-an-introduction.html","title":{"rendered":"Employment and Anti-Discrimination Laws: An Introduction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Employment and Anti-Discrimination Laws: An Introduction<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, 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

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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

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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

Small business owners have obligations to their employees under federal employment and anti-discrimination laws. State laws may give other protections for workers. This article reviews the most common federal anti-discrimination laws small business employers encounter.<\/p>\r\n

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces most of these laws and refers other claims to the U.S. Department of Labor. The state EEOC office will handle any workplace discrimination claims.<\/p>\r\n

Visit FindLaw’s Small Business Discrimination and Harassment<\/a> page for more anti-discrimination laws.<\/p>\r\n

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)<\/h2>\r\n

The Americans with Disabilities Act<\/a> bans discrimination in hiring or employment based on the presence or perception of a disability. The ADA defines a "disability as any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a life activity."<\/p>\r\n

The ADA applies to businesses with more than 15 workers. A covered employer must make reasonable accommodations for people protected under the act. "Reasonable accommodations" are any workplace or job function changes that allow the employee to carry out the tasks.<\/p>\r\n

Employers must offer reasonable accommodations unless there would be an undue hardship. For instance, a two-story office might not need to install an elevator for a single worker. The employer might need to remodel a first-floor office to give the employee equal facilities.<\/p>\r\n

Under the ADA, an employer may not:<\/p>\r\n