Anti-Discrimination Laws

What the Law Says

Who is Covered by the Law

Federal Laws

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Law: 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq.

Enforcement: For more information about filing a complaint go to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website  (EEOC).

Can file by mail, in person or over the phone.

Employers may not harass or discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Employers covered by the law cannot:
refuse to hire,
fire, or
limit opportunities such as promotions or higher pay because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. (42 U.S.C. §2000e-2(a)(1-2 )).

Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against an employee for making a complaint under this law.

Employers with 15 or more employees.
State governments.
Federal government.

Educational institutions.
Employment agencies.
Labor organizations.
Joint management-labor committees.

Note: Some employers are exempt. For example, religious organizations may  require employees to be of a certain faith without violating title VII. (42 USC § 2000e-1(a) )

Note: All employers (regardless of their number of employees) are covered by the 1991 Civil Rights Act. (42 USC § 1981 )

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Law: 29 U.S.C §§ 621-634 

Enforcement: For more information about filing a complaint go to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website  (EEOC).

Employers may not discriminate against employees who are age 40 or older.

Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against an employee for making a complaint under this law.

The federal government and its agencies.
Private employers with 20 or more employees.

State and local governments.
Interstate agencies.
Employment agencies.
Labor unions.

Note: Please be aware that this law has many different provisions some of which may apply to federal, state or local government entities while others apply to private employers.  

The Equal Pay Act
Law: 29 U.S.C. § 206d[13]

Enforcement: For more information about filing a complaint go to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website  (EEOC).

Employers must give men and women equal pay for equal work, even if the job titles are different. Equal work means that both men and women perform jobs that require the same skill, effort, responsibility and, under similar conditions.

Note: A man and woman can be paid different salaries for equal work if the difference is based on a seniority, merit or incentive system.

With very few exceptions, almost every employer must follow this law - private employers as well as federal and state governments.

The Americans with Disabilities Act
Law: 42 USC § 12101 et seq. 

Enforcement: For more information about filing a complaint go to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website (EEOC).

ADA: For help on accommodations for a specific person with a disability, contact the Job Accommodation Network  at 800-526-7234.

Employers cannot discriminate against a person with a disability in any aspect of employment. This includes interviews, testing, hiring, job assignment, evaluations, discipline, training, promotions, layoffs, compensation, leave and benefits.

Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against an employee for making a complaint under this law.

Note: An employer must make “reasonable applicant or employee to do the job.                                  42 USC  §12112(b)(5)(A).

Exception: If the accommodation needed would impose “an undue hardship” on the employer, the change may not be required. 

42 USC  §12112(b)(5)(A).

Employers with 15 or more employees for at least 20 weeks a year.
State and local governments and their agencies.
Employment agencies.
Labor organizations.
Religious organizations with 15 or more employees.

Joint labor-management committees.
Note: The ADA covers other areas such as housing, public accommodations, education, transportation, communication, recreation, institutionalization, health services, voting, and access to public services. 42 USC § 12101.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act : 42 USC § 2000e(k)

Enforcement: For more information about filing a complaint go to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website

 (EEOC).

An employer must not refuse to hire or discriminate against a woman who is pregnant. A pregnant woman must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees with similar abilities or limitations.

Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against an employee for making a complaint under this law.

Note: Any health insurance provided by the employer must cover all pregnancy expenses on the same basis as costs for other medical conditions. Health insurance expenses arising from an abortion are not required to be covered, unless the life of the mother is endangered.

Employers with 15 or more employees.
State governments.
Federal government.

Employment agencies.
Labor organizations.
Joint management-labor committees.

Educational institutions.

Note: Some employers are exempt. For example, religious organizations may require employees to be of a certain faith. (42 U.S.C. §2000e-1(a))

The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986
Law: 8 USC § 1324b

Enforcement: To file a complaint, contact the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices 800-255-7688 or e-mail osccrt@usdoj.gov

Employers are prohibited from discriminating against applicants and employees on the basis of their citizenship or national origin.

Employers with 4 or more employees.
For an information short fact sheet, check the U. S. Department of Agriculture website .

For a list of detailed questions and answers check the U.S. Department of Justice Immigrant and Employee Rights Section

 Anti-Discrimination Laws

What the Law Says

Who is Covered by the Law

Maryland Laws

Law: Md Code. State Government § 20-601 

Enforcement: The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights  accepts complaints.  All complaints are investigated.

You must file a complaint within 6 months of:

Date of discrimination (1 year for housing) or
Date when you learned of the discriminatory action.

Maryland makes it unlawful to refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate someone due to:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• Age
• National origin
• Marital status
• Genetic information, or refusal to submit to a genetic test
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Disability unrelated in nature and extent to the performance of the employment

Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against an employee for making a complaint under this law.
 
 

Employers in industry or business who have 15 or more employees for at least 20 weeks in a calendar year, including the State.

Read the Law: MD Code Ann. State Gov't 20-601.