Question

Identify how the workplace is affected by federal laws regarding hiring and firing, discrimination, and other workplace regulations

Answer 1

Age discrimination is a practice which is specifically banned by law. With a few rare exceptions, companies are prohibited from stipulating an age preference in job advertising. Employees must receive the same benefits irrespective of age, the only exception being when the cost of providing additional benefits for young workers is the same as providing reduced benefits for older workers. It is also illegal to discriminate against age in apprenticeship programmes, or internship opportunities.

It is illicit for employers to discriminate on the basis of religious customs of an individual. Businesses are required to make reasonable accommodation of the religious beliefs of an employee, as long as that does not have excessive negative effects on the employer.

Employers are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender when paying a salary to men and women of the same qualifications, responsibility, skill level, and position. Enterprises are also prohibited from lowering the salary of one gender to equalize pay between men and women.

Additionally discrimination based on pregnancy is illegal. Employers are required to handle pregnancy in the same manner as they would handle a temporary illness or other non-permanent condition requiring special attention. Job seekers have the same rights as employees, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) passed in 1978 protects both.

It is important to note that any aspect of employment can involve discriminatory practices. It is illegal for an employer to make assumptions based on stereotypes relating to race, gender or age, and it is also illegal for an employer to assume that an employee may be incapable because he or she is disabled.

Furthermore, companies are prohibited from depriving an employee of employment opportunities because of his or her relationship with someone of a certain race, religion or ethnicity. Unlawful discrimination also includes harassment based on legal personal traits, including race, gender, age and religion.