Federal Laws, State Laws, and Executive Orders
| Law | Description |
|---|---|
| Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution | Prohibits states from denying any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. In other words, the laws of a state must treat an individual in the same manner as others in similar conditions and circumstances. |
| Executive Order One (2018) | The state of Virginia's commitment to non-discriminatory practices with the employment process. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. The policy permits appropriate employment preferences for veterans and specifically prohibits discrimination against veterans. |
| The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 | As amended, protects applicants and employees 40 years of age or older from discrimination on the basis of age, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. |
| The Equal Pay Act of 1963 | Part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, as amended, prohibits sex-based wage discrimination between men and women in the same establishment who perform jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions. |
| The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 | Prohibits discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment. |
| The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act | Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition of a qualified employee or applicant for employment. |
| The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 | As amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, prohibits discrimination, requires affirmative action, and requires employers provide reasonable accommodations to employees and job applicants with disabilities. |
| The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) | Passed in 1994, prohibits discrimination against military service members and veterans because of their service and allows them to regain their civilian jobs following a period of uniformed service. |
| The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA Reauthorization) | Requires that the university address campus sexual violence, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence, provide increased transparency to the community, and engage in meaningful prevention efforts. |
| Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 | Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, in educational programs receiving federal financial assistance. |
| Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Prohibits discrimination by recipients of federal funds on the basis of race and national origin. |
| Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), and national origin. |
| Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 | As amended, prohibits job discrimination against qualified covered veterans and provides affirmative action in hiring. |
Resources
- The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lists Federal laws and regulations with detailed information.
- The United States Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) oversees federal contractors and has detailed information about equal employment opportunity laws.
- The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)’s mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through enforcement of civil rights.