Summary of Human Rights Issues

Issues
  • Discrimination

    Title VII prohibits racial discrimination, including bias on the basis of ancestry or ethnic characteristics such as skin color and facial features.

  • Equal Employment

    The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits employers from discriminating against workers who are 40 years of age or older.

  • Disability Rights

    There are several federal laws prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

  • Family Care

    The FMLA was passed to balance the demands of the work place with the needs of families, to promote the stability and economic security of families, and to promote national interests in preserving family integrity. The FMLA is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor.

  • The Law

    Many states have enacted their own fair employment practices laws. Many of these states have prohibitions against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disabilities. Other state laws prohibit additional types of employment discrimination such as discrimination because of arrest record, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, color blindness and unfavorable military discharge. Additionally, legislation regulating the employment of immigrants has also been enacted by some states.

  • Union

    The National Labor Relations Act imposes upon unions, as exclusive representative, a general duty to represent all members of the bargaining unit fairly. In addition to the civil rights laws, the union violates its duty of fair representation by discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or age when acting in it s representative capacity. The duty of fair representation also requires that the union register its opposition to, and attempt to eradicate, any discriminatory practices which come within the scope of its collective bargaining agreement or negotiating powers.