Workforce Planning and Employment Flashcards
(196 cards)
unlawful employment practices
those that have an adverse impact on members of a protected class
protected class
group of people who share common characteristics and are protected from discriminatory practices
disparate treatment
happens when employers treat some candidates or employees differently, such as requiring women to take a driving test when they apply for a job but not requiring men to take the test when they apply for the same job
disparate impact
practices that seem fair on their face but result in adverse impact on members of protected classes, such as requiring all candidates for firefighter positions to be a certain height. OK if it’s a BFOQ.
Griggs v. Duke Power.
Burden of proof is on the complainant when there is a job-related business necessity for employment actions. When an individual alleges multiple discriminatory acts, each practice in itself must be discriminatory unless the employer’s decision making process can’t be separated, in which case the individual may challenge the decision-making process itself.
Unlawful Employment Practices Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Also defined the following unlawful employment practices:
1. Discriminatory recruiting, selection, or hiring actions.
2 Discriminatory compensation or benefit practices.
3. Discriminatory access to training or apprenticeship programs.
4. Discriminatory practices in any other terms or conditions of employment.
Legitimate seniority, merit, and piece-rate payment systems are allowable as long as they don’t intentionally discriminate against protected classes.
Title VII created the EEOC.
When is it OK not to follow Title VII?
- BFOQs
- Religious orgs may give preference to members of the religion
- A potential employee who is unable to obtain, or loses, a national security clearance required for the position isn’t protected.
- Indian reservations may give preference to Native Americans living on or near the reservation
Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ)
occur when religion, sex, or national origin is reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the business and discrimination in these cases does not violate Title VII - women RAs, priest for Catholic church
Race is never a BFOQ
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Created by Title VII. Mandated to promote equal employment opportunity, educate employers, provide technical assistance, and stud and report on its activities to congress and the American people. The enforcement agency for Title VII and other discrimination legislation.
Equal Employment Opportunity Act (EEOA) of 1972
Provides litigation authority to the EEOC in the event that an acceptable conciliation agreement can’t be reached. In those cases, the EEOC is empowered to sue nongovernmental entities, including employers, unions, and employment agencies. Extended Title VII coverage to educational institutions, state and local governments, and the federal government. Also reduced the number of employees from 25 to 15 required to keep records. Also provided protection from retaliatory employment actions for whistleblowers.
EEOA Complaints
Employers must be notified within 10 days of receipt of a charge by the EEOC and that findings must be issued within 120 days of a charge being filed. EEOA empowered EEOC to sue employers, unions, and employment agencies in the event that an acceptable reconciliation agreement couldn’t be reached within 30 days of notice to the employer.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
Amended Title VII to clarify that discrimination against women on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical condition is an unlawful employment practice. Pregnant employees should receive the same treatment and benefits as employees with any other short-term disability.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967
Purpose is to promote employment of older persons based on their ability rather than age and to prohibit arbitrary age discrimination in employment and to help employers and workers find ways of meeting problems arising from impact of age on employment. Prohibits discrimination against persons 40 years old or older in employment activities such as hiring, job assignments, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, terminating, or any other privileges, terms, or conditions of employment. Applies to businesses, unions, employment agencies, and state and local governments with 20 or more employees. Exceptions are: BFOQs, firefighters or police officers, retirement of employees age 65 or older who have been in executive positions for at least 2 years and are eligible for retirement benefits of at least $44k per year, retirement of tenured employees at educational institutions at age 70, and discharge or discipline for just cause. A waiver of rights is allowed if valuable consideration is exchanged and must include the following elements: advice to consult an attorney before signing, 21 days to review and consider, and 7 days in which the agreement may be revoked. If there is an exit incentive involved, there must be 45 days to consider the agreement, a list of eligibility factors for the group or individuals affected by the employment action, and a list of the job titles and ages of all individuals participating in the program as well as those who weren’t selected for the program. If someone thinks they were subjected to an unlawful employment practice, they must file a complaint with the EEOC.
Filing Times for EEO Complaints
- IF the state has a Fair Employment Practice Agency (FEPA), the individual has 300 days to file.
- If the state has no FEPA, the individual has 180 days to file.
- If the EEOC doesn’t file a civil suit or enter into a conciliation agreement within 180 days of the initial charge, the complaining individual is notified and may file a civil suit within 90 days of receiving the notification.
- Once an individual has filed a charge with the EEOC, there is a 60-day waiting period before the individual may request a right-to-sue letter. This request ends the EEOC investigation and requires the individual to file a civil action within 90 days or lose the right to pursue this claim in the future.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
Covered entities: employment agencies, labor unions, joint labor-management committees, and employers with 15 or more employees. Excludes the federal government and private membership clubs.
Prohibits discrimination in job application, hiring, advancement, or discharge, compensation, training, and other terms, conditions,and privileges of employment.
Requires covered entities to make reasonable accommodation to develop employment opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities in two areas:
1. Facilities should be accessible to persons with disabilities.
2. Position requirements may be adjusted to accommodate qualified persons with disabilities.
Accommodations constituting an undue hardship aren’t required.
undue hardship
Accommodation that places an excessive burden on the employer. Consider cost, financial resources of the organization, size of the organization, and other similar factors.
ADA Amendments Act of 2008
Congress toook the action to clarify the intention of the original legislation, which was to make the dfinition of disability consistent with the way the courts had defined the term. Legislation:
- Broadly defines disability
- Defines major life activity
- Ignores mitigating measures - anything that helps cope except ordinary glasses or contacts such as medication, prosthetics, etc
- Clarifies the definition of “regarded as”
- Explicitly authorizes the EEOC to regulate compliance
- Prohibits “Reverse Discrimination” Claims - Individuals without disability may not use the ADA to file claims of discrimination when disabled individuals receive favorable employment actions.
disability
A physical or mental impairment that causes substantial limitations to one or more major life activities for an individual, a record of impairment for an individual, or an individual who is regarded as being impaired
major life activity
defined as anything affecting general activities (self care, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, etc) and major bodily functions (immune, cell growth, digestive, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, reproductive)
regarded as (within the ADA)
Requires that individuals who are able to demonstrate that they have been the subject of prohibited activities under the ADA, whether or not they actually have an impairment, are protected by its requirements
What was the purpose of the Civil Rights Act (CRA) of 1991?
- Provide appropriate remedies for intentional discrimination and unlawful harassment in the workplace.
- To codify the concepts of “business necessity” and “job related” articulated by the Supreme Court in Griggs v. Duke Power
- To confirm statutory authority and provide statutory guidelines for the adjudication of disparate impact suits under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- To respond to recent decisions of the Supreme Court by expanding the scope of relevant civil rights statutes in order to provide adequate protection to victims of discrimination.
Maximum CRA Punitive Damage Award for 15-100 Employees
$50,000
Maximum CRA Punitive Damage Award for 101-200 Employees
$100,000
Maximum CRA Punitive Damage Award for 201-500 Employees
$200,000
Maximum CRA Punitive Damage Award for 501+ Employees
$300,000