14^th Amendment of the United States Constitution: guarantees due process and equal protection under the laws.

The Civil Rights Act of 1866, Section 1981: covers race-based discrimination by employers. Individuals may sue to assert their rights under this Act; which, unlike Title VII, has no limitation on back-pay liability.

The Civil rights Act of 1871, Section 1983: provides persons who believe they have been deprived of rights, privileges or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws to redress and holds those responsible for the deprivation liable to the person injured.

Equal Pay Act of 1963: forbids pay differentials based on sex. It covers all employees who come under the Fair Labor Standards Act, plus executive, administrative, professional employees and outside sales people. Investigation and compliance responsibilities were transferred from the Labor Department to the EEOC on July 1, 1979.

Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act: bans discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It covers all terms and conditions of employment; and, it holds employers responsible for any discrimination that goes on within the employer's organization. Title VII is administered by the EEOC and covers employers with 15 or more employees.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): bans employment discrimination because of age against anyone 40 years of age and older, (also know as ADEA). Investigation and compliance responsibilities were transferred from the Labor Department to the EEOC on July 1, 1979.

Executive Order 11246: requires Federal contractors to include a nondiscrimination clause in all contracts and subcontracts in excess of $110.000 and all construction projects financed, even in part, with Federal funds. Revised Order No. 4 requires a written affirmative action program from contractors with 50 or more employees and contracts of $50,000 or more. This order is enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Section 503 requires employers with government contracts and subcontracts of $2,500 or more to take affirmative action for qualified handicapped individuals. The regulations implementing the Act require "reasonable accommodation" to the physical and mental limitations of handicapped employees and applicants. Section 504 covers the employment practices of all recipients of Federal financial assistance, a broad spectrum of agencies and institutions from private employers operating under a Federal grant, to public schools, colleges and universities. Both Sections 503 and 504 are enforced by the OFCCP.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act: amends Title VII and states that employment discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions is prohibited under Title VII. According to EEOC, the amendment, which affects those employers under the jurisdiction of Title VII, requires that "persons affected by pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions be treated the same as persons affected by other temporary disabilities."

South Carolina Human Affairs Law: prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, age, sex, disability and national origin.

Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): gives protections to qualified individuals with disabilities that are like those provided under Title VII. It also guarantees equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state/local government services and telecommunication. ADA is enforced by EEOC.

1991 Civl Rights Act of 1991: allows employees to seek compensatory and punitive damages and for trial-by-jury. (this amends Title VII.)

SC Online | HAC Home | Contacts | Other Links | History