{"id":11760,"date":"2026-02-04T08:22:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=11760"},"modified":"2026-02-04T08:23:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:23:40","slug":"what-is-employment-discrimination","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/discrimination\/what-is-employment-discrimination\/","title":{"rendered":"What is employment discrimination?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b5fc8583 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7fc3d43a wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8e1436f2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p class=\"\">by <strong>Brightmine<\/strong><br>Reviewed by <strong>Emily Scace, JD<\/strong>, Brightmine Senior Legal Editor <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"employment-discrimination-definition\" class=\"\">Employment discrimination happens when an employer treats a job applicant or employee unfavorably because of a legally protected characteristic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Whether intentional or unintentional, workplace discrimination can lead to costly complaints, lawsuits, reputational damage and significant disruption to employee morale and retention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">The <strong>Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)<\/strong>, is the federal agency responsible for enforcing many of the federal laws that ban workplace discrimination. The EEOC enforces federal antidiscrimination laws concerning race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability and genetic information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Most federal anti-discrimination laws apply to employers with 15+ employees (20 for age discrimination). The EEOC investigates discrimination complaints and can settle or litigate cases. The EEOC also issues regulations that impose various compliance obligations and provides guidance to help employers understand and follow the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"protected-characteristics\">Employment discrimination protected characteristics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Under federal antidiscrimination law, applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination on the basis of certain <em>protected characteristics<\/em>, including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Race and color<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">National origin&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Religion&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Age (40+)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Disability&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Genetic information&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Many states and localities extend protection further, covering traits such as marital status, height and weight, familial status and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Forms of discrimination may include:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-brightmine-list-item-spacing-small\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Disparate treatment:<\/strong> These are the most common discrimination claims. They occur when an employer treats someone less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic (such as race or sex). To prove a claim, the employee must show the employer acted with discriminatory intent, which can sometimes be inferred from the unequal treatment.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Disparate impact:<\/strong> Unlike disparate treatment (intentional discrimination), disparate impact happens when seemingly neutral policies harm a protected group more than others. Examples include height or weight requirements, physical ability requirements, and certain tests and screening tools. These policies aren\u2019t automatically illegal, but employers must prove they serve a valid business need.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Harassment:<\/strong> Harassment is unwelcome behaviour based on a protected characteristic that becomes unlawful when it\u2019s a condition of employment or creates a hostile work environment. It\u2019s not limited to sexual harassment; any protected characteristic (race, religion, sex, age, disability, etc.) can be involved. Minor annoyances or isolated incidents (unless very severe) usually don\u2019t qualify, and harassment can occur between people with the same protected characteristics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Failure to accommodate. <\/strong>Several EEO laws require employers to provide <em>reasonable accommodations<\/em>\u2014that is, adjustments or modifications to a job or the work environment\u2014in certain situations. Employees and job applicants have the right to reasonable accommodation for disability, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), and religion. While employers are not required to grant an accommodation request if it would cause undue hardship, they must engage in an interactive dialogue with the individual to evaluate the request and seek a workable solution. Failure to do so is a form of unlawful discrimination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Retaliation:<\/strong> Retaliation happens when an employer punishes someone\u2014such as through termination, demotion or transfer\u2014for taking part in a protected activity. These activities include filing a discrimination complaint, joining an investigation or opposing unlawful behaviour. Employers can be liable for retaliation even if the original discrimination claim is unfounded.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">A strong compliance strategy requires tracking federal, state and local laws; maintaining updated policies; and ensuring consistency in decisions affecting job applicants and employees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"federal-employment-discrimination-laws\">Federal employment discrimination laws<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Employers must comply with multiple federal laws that prohibit discrimination based on specific characteristics. Key laws include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Title VII of the Civil Rights Act\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"\">Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the best known of the federal antidiscrimination laws. It prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against employees and applicants on the basis of an individual&#8217;s <strong>race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity) or national origin<\/strong> in all aspects of the employment relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"\">The ADEA prohibits an employer with 20 or more employees from treating an applicant or employee less favorably because of that individual&#8217;s age. The general principles are the same as with sex or race-based discrimination. The ADEA does not protect employees or applicants under the age of 40, although some state and local age discrimination laws do. In other words, the ADEA only forbids age discrimination against individuals who are <strong>40 and older<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"\">The ADA bans discrimination against qualified employees and applicants with disabilities. Individuals are protected under the ADA if they have a disability, have a record of a disability or are perceived as having a disability. Employers must also provide <strong>reasonable accommodations<\/strong> to allow qualified individuals with disabilities to perform their essential job functions unless doing so causes undue hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"\">The PWFA requires employers with 15 or more employees to make reasonable accommodations for the known limitations of an employee or applicant that are due to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"\">Under GINA, it is illegal to discriminate against employees or applicants based on <strong>genetic information<\/strong>. GINA prohibits the use of genetic information in employment decisions. GINA also restricts employers from &#8220;requesting, requiring or purchasing genetic information, and strictly limits the disclosure of genetic information.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Equal Pay Act\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"\">Under the federal Equal Pay Act, men and women in the same workplace must receive equal pay for equal work. This is not just applicable to identical jobs, but also to&nbsp;<em>substantially equal<\/em>&nbsp;jobs. Note that while the Equal Pay Act covers only sex-based pay discrimination, Title VII and other EEO laws prohibit pay discrimination based on other protected characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"\">USERRA prohibits employment discrimination against employees or applicants based on prior or current <strong>military service<\/strong> or an intention to serve in the future. The Act applies to service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Public Health Service commissioned corps, and includes the reserve portions of those entities. Employers with federal contracts must also comply with additional rules enforced by the <strong>Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-3 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-db4c44a6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b827052 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:5px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\" class=\"\">In this resource:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#employment-discrimination-definition\">What is employment discrimination?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#protected-characteristics\">Protected characteristics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3\" class=\"\"><a href=\"#federal-employment-discrimination-laws\">Federal employment discrimination laws<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a36fa716 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get ahead of HR compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Navigating today\u2019s complex HR compliance landscape is challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Get ahead with Brightmine. Access HR resources and automation tools managed by seasoned human HR experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\" class=\"\"><a href=\"\/us\/products\/hr-compliance-center\/#lexisnexis\">Proudly partnered with LexisNexis<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecba6b92 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"166\" height=\"44\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/16090337\/LexisNexis-logo.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9646\" style=\"width:auto;height:35px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/us\/quote\/?intcmp=cta|blog|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad1af2a0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-secondary-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Read more articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-ea1fff98 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-12871 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-hr-news topic-discrimination topic-employment-law-updates\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/employment-law-updates\/racially-discriminatory-dei\/\" target=\"_self\" >Federal contractors must agree not to engage in \u201cracially discriminatory\u201d DEI<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-12847 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-webinars topic-discrimination topic-learning-development\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/discrimination\/dei-compliance-2026\/\" target=\"_self\" >DEI compliance in 2026: What to start, continue, stop\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-12474 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-hr-law-guides topic-onboarding topic-state-compliance\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline; 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In this &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fcdab8bb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">About the author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail is-resized is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/12\/06101413\/Emily-Scace-150x150.webp\" alt=\"Emily Scace, JD, Senior Legal Editor at Brightmine\" class=\"wp-image-7358\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Emily Scace, JD<\/strong><br>Senior Legal Editor, Brightmine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Emily Scace has more than a decade of experience in legal publishing. As a member of the Brightmine editorial team, she covers topics including employment discrimination and harassment, pay equity, pay transparency and recruiting and hiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"\">Emily holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in English and psychology from Northwestern University. Prior to joining Brightmine, she was a senior content specialist at Simplify Compliance. In that role, she covered a variety of workplace health and safety topics, was the editor of the OSHA Compliance Advisor newsletter, and frequently delivered webinars on key issues in workplace safety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bbb7e64f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" id=\"newsletter\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">Sign up to receive expert HR insights from Brightmine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ebe15cfa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Join our community and stay updated with industry trends, expert insights, valuable resources, webinar invites\u2026 and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Sign up now and receive regular updates straight to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-contact-form-7-contact-form-selector is-style-flex-layout\" redirectaftersubmission=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/thank-you-insights-email\/\">\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f9272-o1\" lang=\"none\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"9272\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/11760#wpcf7-f9272-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"9272\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.5\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f9272-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_title\" value=\"Newsletter\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqFormName\" value=\"sparknewsletter\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqFormName\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqSiteID\" value=\"1006146\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqSiteID\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"sfid\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"sfid\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"cmpid\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmpid\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqCookieWrite\" value=\"0\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqCookieWrite\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"elqCustomerGUID\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"elqCustomerGUID\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden a-s-text\" id=\"a-s-text\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"a-s-text\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"Market\" value=\"US\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Market\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"Website\" value=\"Website\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Website\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_source\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_source\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_medium\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_medium\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_campaign\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_campaign\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_content\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" id=\"utm_content_type\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"utm_content_type\" \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-hidden\" value=\"\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"Source\" \/>\n\n<div class=\"c-grid  form-fields\">\n<div class=\"form-inputs-container\">\n<div class=\"inputs-container\">\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"firstName\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"35\" minlength=\"2\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"FirstName\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"firstName\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"EmailAddress\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"320\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Business email address\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"EmailAddress\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"Country\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required fs-custom-unmask\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"Country\"><option value=\"\">Your country \/ region<\/option><option value=\"United States\">United States<\/option><option value=\"United Kingdom\">United Kingdom<\/option><option value=\"Afghanistan\">Afghanistan<\/option><option value=\"Aland Islands\">Aland Islands<\/option><option value=\"Albania\">Albania<\/option><option value=\"Algeria\">Algeria<\/option><option value=\"American Samoa\">American Samoa<\/option><option value=\"Andorra\">Andorra<\/option><option value=\"Angola\">Angola<\/option><option value=\"Anguilla\">Anguilla<\/option><option value=\"Antarctica\">Antarctica<\/option><option value=\"Antigua and Barbuda\">Antigua and Barbuda<\/option><option value=\"Argentina\">Argentina<\/option><option value=\"Armenia\">Armenia<\/option><option value=\"Aruba\">Aruba<\/option><option value=\"Australia\">Australia<\/option><option value=\"Austria\">Austria<\/option><option value=\"Azerbaijan\">Azerbaijan<\/option><option value=\"Bahamas\">Bahamas<\/option><option value=\"Bahrain\">Bahrain<\/option><option value=\"Bangladesh\">Bangladesh<\/option><option value=\"Barbados\">Barbados<\/option><option value=\"Belarus\">Belarus<\/option><option value=\"Belgium\">Belgium<\/option><option value=\"Belize\">Belize<\/option><option value=\"Benin\">Benin<\/option><option value=\"Bermuda\">Bermuda<\/option><option value=\"Bhutan\">Bhutan<\/option><option value=\"Bolivia, Plurinational State\">Bolivia, Plurinational State<\/option><option value=\"Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba\">Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba<\/option><option value=\"Bosnia and Herzegovina\">Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/option><option value=\"Botswana\">Botswana<\/option><option value=\"Bouvet Island\">Bouvet Island<\/option><option value=\"Brazil\">Brazil<\/option><option value=\"British Indian Ocean Territory\">British Indian Ocean Territory<\/option><option value=\"Brunei\n    Darussalam\">Brunei\n    Darussalam<\/option><option value=\"Bulgaria\">Bulgaria<\/option><option value=\"Burkina Faso\">Burkina Faso<\/option><option value=\"Burundi\">Burundi<\/option><option value=\"Cambodia\">Cambodia<\/option><option value=\"Cameroon\">Cameroon<\/option><option value=\"Canada\">Canada<\/option><option value=\"Cape Verde\">Cape Verde<\/option><option value=\"Cayman Islands\">Cayman Islands<\/option><option value=\"Central African Republic\">Central African Republic<\/option><option value=\"Chad\">Chad<\/option><option value=\"Chile\">Chile<\/option><option value=\"China\">China<\/option><option value=\"Christmas Island\">Christmas Island<\/option><option value=\"Cocos (Keeling) Islands\">Cocos (Keeling) Islands<\/option><option value=\"Colombia\">Colombia<\/option><option value=\"Comoros\">Comoros<\/option><option value=\"Congo\">Congo<\/option><option value=\"Congo, the Democratic Republic of the\">Congo, the Democratic Republic of the<\/option><option value=\"Cook Islands\">Cook Islands<\/option><option value=\"Costa Rica\">Costa Rica<\/option><option value=\"Cote d&#039;Ivoire\">Cote d&#039;Ivoire<\/option><option value=\"Croatia\">Croatia<\/option><option value=\"Cuba\">Cuba<\/option><option value=\"Cura\u00e7ao\">Cura\u00e7ao<\/option><option value=\"Cyprus\">Cyprus<\/option><option value=\"Czech\n    Republic\">Czech\n    Republic<\/option><option value=\"Denmark\">Denmark<\/option><option value=\"Djibouti\">Djibouti<\/option><option value=\"Dominica\">Dominica<\/option><option value=\"Dominican Republic\">Dominican Republic<\/option><option value=\"Ecuador\">Ecuador<\/option><option value=\"Egypt\">Egypt<\/option><option value=\"El Salvador\">El Salvador<\/option><option value=\"Equatorial Guinea\">Equatorial Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Eritrea\">Eritrea<\/option><option value=\"Estonia\">Estonia<\/option><option value=\"Eswatini\">Eswatini<\/option><option value=\"Ethiopia\">Ethiopia<\/option><option value=\"Falkland Islands (Malvinas)\">Falkland Islands (Malvinas)<\/option><option value=\"Faroe Islands\">Faroe Islands<\/option><option value=\"Fiji\">Fiji<\/option><option value=\"Finland\">Finland<\/option><option value=\"France\">France<\/option><option value=\"French Guiana\">French Guiana<\/option><option value=\"French Polynesia\">French Polynesia<\/option><option value=\"French Southern Territories\">French Southern Territories<\/option><option value=\"Gabon\">Gabon<\/option><option value=\"Gambia\">Gambia<\/option><option value=\"Georgia\">Georgia<\/option><option value=\"Germany\">Germany<\/option><option value=\"Ghana\">Ghana<\/option><option value=\"Gibraltar\">Gibraltar<\/option><option value=\"Greece\">Greece<\/option><option value=\"Greenland\">Greenland<\/option><option value=\"Grenada\">Grenada<\/option><option value=\"Guadeloupe\">Guadeloupe<\/option><option value=\"Guam\">Guam<\/option><option value=\"Guatemala\">Guatemala<\/option><option value=\"Guernsey\">Guernsey<\/option><option value=\"Guinea\">Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Guinea-Bissau\">Guinea-Bissau<\/option><option value=\"Guyana\">Guyana<\/option><option value=\"Haiti\">Haiti<\/option><option value=\"Heard Island and McDonald Islands\">Heard Island and McDonald Islands<\/option><option value=\"Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)\">Holy\n    See (Vatican City State)<\/option><option value=\"Honduras\">Honduras<\/option><option value=\"Hong Kong\">Hong Kong<\/option><option value=\"Hungary\">Hungary<\/option><option value=\"Iceland\">Iceland<\/option><option value=\"India\">India<\/option><option value=\"Indonesia\">Indonesia<\/option><option value=\"Iran, Islamic Republic of\">Iran, Islamic Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Iraq\">Iraq<\/option><option value=\"Ireland\">Ireland<\/option><option value=\"Isle of Man\">Isle of Man<\/option><option value=\"Israel\">Israel<\/option><option value=\"Italy\">Italy<\/option><option value=\"Jamaica\">Jamaica<\/option><option value=\"Japan\">Japan<\/option><option value=\"Jersey\">Jersey<\/option><option value=\"Jordan\">Jordan<\/option><option value=\"Kazakhstan\">Kazakhstan<\/option><option value=\"Kenya\">Kenya<\/option><option value=\"Kiribati\">Kiribati<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of\">Korea, Democratic People&#039;s Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Korea, Republic of\">Korea, Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Kosovo\">Kosovo<\/option><option value=\"Kuwait\">Kuwait<\/option><option value=\"Kyrgyzstan\">Kyrgyzstan<\/option><option value=\"Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic\">Lao People&#039;s Democratic Republic<\/option><option value=\"Latvia\">Latvia<\/option><option value=\"Lebanon\">Lebanon<\/option><option value=\"Lesotho\">Lesotho<\/option><option value=\"Liberia\">Liberia<\/option><option value=\"Libyan Arab Jamahiriya\">Libyan Arab Jamahiriya<\/option><option value=\"Liechtenstein\">Liechtenstein<\/option><option value=\"Lithuania\">Lithuania<\/option><option value=\"Luxembourg\">Luxembourg<\/option><option value=\"Macao\">Macao<\/option><option value=\"Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of\">Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic\n    of<\/option><option value=\"Madagascar\">Madagascar<\/option><option value=\"Malawi\">Malawi<\/option><option value=\"Malaysia\">Malaysia<\/option><option value=\"Maldives\">Maldives<\/option><option value=\"Mali\">Mali<\/option><option value=\"Malta\">Malta<\/option><option value=\"Marshall\n    Islands\">Marshall\n    Islands<\/option><option value=\"Martinique\">Martinique<\/option><option value=\"Mauritania\">Mauritania<\/option><option value=\"Mauritius\">Mauritius<\/option><option value=\"Mayotte\">Mayotte<\/option><option value=\"Mexico\">Mexico<\/option><option value=\"Micronesia\">Micronesia<\/option><option value=\"Moldova, Republic of\">Moldova, Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Monaco\">Monaco<\/option><option value=\"Mongolia\">Mongolia<\/option><option value=\"Montenegro\">Montenegro<\/option><option value=\"Montserrat\">Montserrat<\/option><option value=\"Morocco\">Morocco<\/option><option value=\"Mozambique\">Mozambique<\/option><option value=\"Myanmar\">Myanmar<\/option><option value=\"Namibia\">Namibia<\/option><option value=\"Nauru\">Nauru<\/option><option value=\"Nepal\">Nepal<\/option><option value=\"Netherlands\">Netherlands<\/option><option value=\"New Caledonia\">New Caledonia<\/option><option value=\"New Zealand\">New Zealand<\/option><option value=\"Nicaragua\">Nicaragua<\/option><option value=\"Niger\">Niger<\/option><option value=\"Nigeria\">Nigeria<\/option><option value=\"Niue\">Niue<\/option><option value=\"Norfolk Island\">Norfolk Island<\/option><option value=\"Northern Mariana Islands\">Northern Mariana Islands<\/option><option value=\"Norway\">Norway<\/option><option value=\"Oman\">Oman<\/option><option value=\"Pakistan\">Pakistan<\/option><option value=\"Palau\">Palau<\/option><option value=\"Palestinian Territory, Occupied\">Palestinian Territory, Occupied<\/option><option value=\"Panama\">Panama<\/option><option value=\"Papua New\n    Guinea\">Papua New\n    Guinea<\/option><option value=\"Paraguay\">Paraguay<\/option><option value=\"Peru\">Peru<\/option><option value=\"Philippines\">Philippines<\/option><option value=\"Pitcairn\">Pitcairn<\/option><option value=\"Poland\">Poland<\/option><option value=\"Portugal\">Portugal<\/option><option value=\"Puerto Rico\">Puerto Rico<\/option><option value=\"Qatar\">Qatar<\/option><option value=\"Reunion\">Reunion<\/option><option value=\"Romania\">Romania<\/option><option value=\"Russian Federation\">Russian Federation<\/option><option value=\"Rwanda\">Rwanda<\/option><option value=\"Saint Barth\u00e9lemy\">Saint Barth\u00e9lemy<\/option><option value=\"Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha\">Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha<\/option><option value=\"Saint\n    Kitts and Nevis\">Saint\n    Kitts and Nevis<\/option><option value=\"Saint Lucia\">Saint Lucia<\/option><option value=\"Saint Martin (French part)\">Saint Martin (French part)<\/option><option value=\"Saint Pierre\n    and Miquelon\">Saint Pierre\n    and Miquelon<\/option><option value=\"Saint Vincent and the Grenadines\">Saint Vincent and the Grenadines<\/option><option value=\"Samoa\">Samoa<\/option><option value=\"San Marino\">San Marino<\/option><option value=\"Sao\n    Tome and Principe\">Sao\n    Tome and Principe<\/option><option value=\"Saudi Arabia\">Saudi Arabia<\/option><option value=\"Senegal\">Senegal<\/option><option value=\"Serbia\">Serbia<\/option><option value=\"Seychelles\">Seychelles<\/option><option value=\"Sierra\n    Leone\">Sierra\n    Leone<\/option><option value=\"Singapore\">Singapore<\/option><option value=\"Sint Maarten (Dutch part)\">Sint Maarten (Dutch part)<\/option><option value=\"Slovakia\">Slovakia<\/option><option value=\"Slovenia\">Slovenia<\/option><option value=\"Solomon Islands\">Solomon Islands<\/option><option value=\"Somalia\">Somalia<\/option><option value=\"South Africa\">South Africa<\/option><option value=\"South Georgia and the South\n    Sandwich Islands\">South Georgia and the South\n    Sandwich Islands<\/option><option value=\"South Sudan\">South Sudan<\/option><option value=\"Spain\">Spain<\/option><option value=\"Sri Lanka\">Sri Lanka<\/option><option value=\"Sudan\">Sudan<\/option><option value=\"Suriname\">Suriname<\/option><option value=\"Svalbard and Jan Mayen\">Svalbard and Jan Mayen<\/option><option value=\"Sweden\">Sweden<\/option><option value=\"Switzerland\">Switzerland<\/option><option value=\"Syrian Arab Republic\">Syrian Arab Republic<\/option><option value=\"Taiwan\">Taiwan<\/option><option value=\"Tajikistan\">Tajikistan<\/option><option value=\"Tanzania, United Republic of\">Tanzania, United Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Thailand\">Thailand<\/option><option value=\"Timor-Leste\">Timor-Leste<\/option><option value=\"Togo\">Togo<\/option><option value=\"Tokelau\">Tokelau<\/option><option value=\"Tonga\">Tonga<\/option><option value=\"Trinidad and Tobago\">Trinidad and Tobago<\/option><option value=\"Tunisia\">Tunisia<\/option><option value=\"Turkey\">Turkey<\/option><option value=\"Turkmenistan\">Turkmenistan<\/option><option value=\"Turks and Caicos Islands\">Turks and Caicos Islands<\/option><option value=\"Tuvalu\">Tuvalu<\/option><option value=\"Uganda\">Uganda<\/option><option value=\"Ukraine\">Ukraine<\/option><option value=\"United Arab Emirates\">United Arab Emirates<\/option><option value=\"United\n    States Minor Outlying Islands\">United\n    States Minor Outlying Islands<\/option><option value=\"Uruguay\">Uruguay<\/option><option value=\"Uzbekistan\">Uzbekistan<\/option><option value=\"Vanuatu\">Vanuatu<\/option><option value=\"Venezuela,\n    Bolivarian Republic of\">Venezuela,\n    Bolivarian Republic of<\/option><option value=\"Viet Nam\">Viet Nam<\/option><option value=\"Virgin Islands, British\">Virgin Islands, British<\/option><option value=\"Wallis and\n    Futuna\">Wallis and\n    Futuna<\/option><option value=\"Western Sahara\">Western Sahara<\/option><option value=\"Yemen\">Yemen<\/option><option value=\"Zambia\">Zambia<\/option><option value=\"Zimbabwe\">Zimbabwe<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"form-submit\">\n<button type=\"submit\" id=\"contact-us-submit-button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\">Get our latest updates<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n*<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/\" target=\"_blank\">Brightmine<\/a> is a tradename of <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\/group\/\" target=\"_blank\">LexisNexis Risk Solutions<\/a>. By registering your details, you understand that your personal data will be handled according to our <a href=\"https:\/\/risk.lexisnexis.com\/group\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. \n<\/p><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"client_id\" class=\"client_id\" \/><input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel5\" name=\"Telephone5\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"2S0OI3\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel6\" name=\"Telephone6\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"DduwX4\">\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" class=\"elq-itemhp-tel7\" name=\"Telephone7\" value=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\" autocomplete=\"8ihsaF\"><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what employment discrimination is, how it appears in the workplace, and what employers must do to stay compliant with U.S. anti\u2011discrimination laws.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":11436,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-new-resources","categories":[9],"tags":[],"topic":[71],"class_list":["post-11760","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs","topic-discrimination"],"_lnrs_read_more":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is employment discrimination? 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