EEO Policies and Laws

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination in hiring, compensation, and terms, conditions, or privileges of employment based on race, religion, color, sex, or national origin.

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, and national origin, by federal agencies as well as those working under federal contracts. Executive Order 11375 – Executive Order 11375.

Protects employees 40-65 years of age from discrimination. Later amended to age 70 (1978), then amended (1986) to eliminate the upper age limit altogether.

Empowered the EEOC

Prohibits employers who have federal contracts greater than $2,500 from discriminating against individuals with handicaps, racial minorities, and women.

Provided for equal employment opportunities for Vietnam War veterans. Administered and enforced by the Officer of Federal Contract Compliance.

Increased mandatory retirement age from 65 to 79. Later amended (1986) to eliminate upper age limit.

Afforded EEO protection to pregnant workers and requires pregnancy to be treated like any other disability.

Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Later amended (2009) to make changes to the definition of the term “disability.”

Requires employers covered under the legislation to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, job-protected leave to employees for certain family and medical reasons.

Prohibits employment bias on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex (including sexual harassment), age, or pregnancy.

Amended the California Constitution to prohibit public entities from using race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin as a basis for either discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group in the operation of the State’s system of public employment, public education, or public contracting.

Generally provides that eligible employees have the right to take family care leave for up to 12 weeks in a 24-month period in connection with the employee’s own serious health condition, birth of the employee’s child, the adoption of a child by the employee, or the serious illness of the employee’s child; or to care for the employee’s parent or spouse who has a serious medical condition.

Protects employees 40-65 years of age from discrimination. Later amended to age 70 (1978), then amended (1986) to eliminate the upper age limit altogether.

Allows for up to four months of leave for a pregnancy-related medical disability.