Protected Class

Definition

A protected class is a group of people who are protected from discrimination and harassment by federal, state, or local laws. These laws prohibit employers, landlords, and others from treating individuals differently or unfairly based on their membership in a protected class.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The primary federal protected classes are race, color, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, sex, and pregnancy.
2. State and local laws may provide additional protected classes, such as marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and military status.
3. Employers cannot make hiring, firing, promotion, or other employment decisions based on an individual's membership in a protected class.
4. Harassment based on a protected class, such as offensive comments or actions, is also prohibited under federal and state laws.
5. Employers have a duty to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and importance of protected class laws in the context of equal opportunity employment.
  • Protected class laws are designed to ensure that all individuals have equal access to employment opportunities and are not subjected to discrimination or harassment based on their membership in a protected group. These laws help to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce by prohibiting employers from making decisions that unfairly disadvantage or exclude people based on their race, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. Upholding protected class laws is crucial for promoting fairness, equality, and a level playing field in the employment context.
• Describe the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in enforcing protected class laws and addressing workplace discrimination.
  • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace, including those related to protected classes. The EEOC investigates claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and has the authority to file lawsuits against employers who violate these laws. The EEOC also provides guidance and resources to help employers understand their obligations and ensure compliance with protected class regulations. By holding employers accountable and promoting equal opportunity, the EEOC plays a crucial role in upholding the rights of individuals belonging to protected classes in the employment context.
• Analyze how the concept of 'reasonable accommodation' relates to the protection of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
  • The requirement for employers to provide 'reasonable accommodations' to employees with disabilities is a key aspect of protected class laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the work environment or job duties that enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of their job. This could include providing assistive technology, modifying work schedules, or restructuring job responsibilities. By making these accommodations, employers help to level the playing field and ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to employment opportunities. Failure to provide reasonable accommodations, unless it would cause undue hardship, is considered a form of unlawful discrimination under protected class laws.

Related terms

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: A federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The federal agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination, including discrimination based on protected class status.

Disparate Treatment: A type of employment discrimination where an individual is treated differently and less favorably than others because of their membership in a protected class.