Providing Equal Employement Opportunity and a Safe Workplace

Concept and Brief Description

The legislative branch of the government develops laws to govern equal employment opportunity, worker safety, and health.
The executive branch creates agencies to enforce the laws.
The judicial branch hears cases related to employment laws and interprets the law.

Many federal laws have been passed requiring equal employment opportunity:

The Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1871 gives all citizens equal legal rights.
Equal Pay Act of 1963 "Equal jobs receive equal pay"
Title VII of CRA forbids discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 for employees over 40
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires affirmative action for people with disabilities
Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1973
Americans w/ Disabilities Act of 1978
Executive Order 11246 Requires affirmative action in hiring women and minorities
Civil Rights Act of 1991 same as Title VII
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994


Employers can avoid illegal discrimination by having standard hiring practices that don't discriminate.

Organizations can prevent sexual harassment developing policies that train employees to spot it, the procedures to follow if it occurs, and the consequences associated with it.

Employers can keep their work environment safe by following the OSHA's guidelines.


Emotional Hook

What kinds of discrimination have you seen in the workforce? How can a culture of sexual harassment affect your business?

Key points to elicit in discussion

Does "Reverse Discrimination" happen very often? In Utah? Outside of UT?

Facilitative Question

How can a fair hiring process and safe work environment benefit your business?