Federal Laws & Regulations

The work environment presents a variety of issues to organizations.  Federal laws and regulations provide a legal recourse when individuals' rights have been violated by an employer. Here are a few employment laws and regulations that you should be acquainted with as you enter the workforce. 

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964/1991)
Prevents employers from discriminating against people on the basis of sex, race, age, national origin, or religion.

Equal Pay Act of 1963
This law makes it illegal to pay men and women different wage rates for equal work on jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility and are performed under similar working conditions.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Prohibits discrimination based on disability in any aspect of employment; alcoholism and trans-sexuality are some disqualifying conditions in the Act.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
Prohibits employment discrimination against persons 40 years of age or older in the United States.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Establishes a national minimum wage, guarantees time and a half for overtime, and prohibits employing minors in specific occupations and work conditions.

National Labor Relations Act (aka the Wagner Act)
Protects the rights of most workers in the private sector of the United States to organize unions, to engage in collective bargaining over wages, hours, terms and conditions of employment, and to take part in strikes and other forms of organized worker activity.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The U.S. federal agency that brings lawsuit claims on behalf of alleged victims of discrimination against  employers and federal agencies.