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Equal Opportunity Laws

Federal and State Employment Laws 

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
This law makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. It also makes it illegal to retaliate against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit. Additionally, it requires that employers reasonably accommodate applicants' and employees' sincerely held religious practices, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer's business.

Tennessee Human Rights Act
Prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodation on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (housing only) and age (40 and over in employment). This law is enforced by the Tennessee Human Rights Commission which is comparable to the state equivalent of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act ("PDA") is part of Title VII and requires an employer to treat women affected by pregnancy or related conditions in the same manner as other employees or applicants with similar limitations.  The intent of the PDA is to prevent discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medial conditions.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended)
Prohibits discrimination based on age in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This includes hiring, discharge, classification as well as other terms and conditions of employment. All ages are protected by this law. 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. This includes issues of access to programs and facilities for persons with disabilities.