There are several federal laws in place that were created to protect employees from various types of discrimination and wrongful termination in the workplace, including the following:
- Color
- Race
- National Origin
- Religious Beliefs
- Gender
- Age (only for employees 40 and older)
- Disability
- Due to pregnancy, child birth, or other medical related issues
- Citizenship
- Genetics
In the state of Illinois, federal anti-discrimination laws protect employees from the following:
- Physical or mental disabilities
- Marital status
- Sexual orientation or preference
- Military status, including unfavorable military discharges
- Gender identity
- Arrest records
- Domestic violence victimization
- Status of an order of protection
- No permanent mailing address, or utilizing the address of a shelter or social service agency
The Laws That Protect Your From Discrimination
And while every state varies when it comes to discrimination laws, in the state of Illinois, employers are required to abide by the following federal laws:
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)- This law regulates things such as the number of hours an employee is allowed to work, how many breaks an employee is allowed, as well as determine the salary and overtime requirements.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)- This law establishes the right to an eligible employee to take up to 12-weeks time off from work for qualified medical reasons, ensuring that their position is held for them upon their return. There are stipulations that an employee must meet in order to qualify for FMLA.
Title VII- This law only applies to en employer with more than 15 employees, and prohibits those employers from discriminating against race, color, national origin, sex, and religious belief during the hiring process.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)- This law prohibits discrimination against an employee with a qualified physical or mental impairment on the basis of their disability.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)- This law only applies to an employee over the age of 40 and works for an employer with more than 20 employees, and prevents the employer from favoring or giving special treatment to employees who are younger, and to the detriment of the older qualified employee.
Consulting With An Employment Attorney
If you are a victim of workplace discrimination or wrongful termination, it is important to contact and employment attorney immediately. While these cases can be difficult to prove, by allowing a professional to review and determine the validity of your case, you can better make the decision to proceed with your case or not.
Maduff & Maduff has been specializing in discrimination, harassment, and wage and overtime theft for more than 20 years. Contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced employment attorneys today.