Today, federal and state statutes govern the workplace. For example, various labor laws regulate the wages and working hours of employees. Additionally, federal and state statutes also exercise a significant role in protecting employees from discrimination. One example of discrimination protection is the Equal Pay Act. When it comes to male and female employees who work at the same job and do the same work, if a wage difference exists, it must be due to “any factor other than gender” or a discriminatory violation of the Equal Pay Act may be found. In the assignment below, you will identify and address other laws that protect employees from discriminatory practices in the workplace.
Answer the following questions (approximately one page per question):
- Analyze and provide your understanding of how Title VII of the Civil Rights ActLinks to an external site. protects employees from various discrimination in the workplace and the role the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission plays in the Act.
- Evaluate and explain the difference between intentional discrimination by an employer against an employee versus unintentional or unintended discriminatory impact.
- Provide an example—real or fictional—of each and the litigation process to establish a prima facie case for each.
- Note: While you may not repeat the examples provided in the text, you can use them for guidance.
- Summarize the legal requirements for the employer in the scenario below when it comes to protecting and accommodating religious rights in the workplace. Provide your recommendation for the employer, based on the legal requirements:
- Brian sells cellular service and phones at a local mall. He informed his employer he could no longer work on Saturdays because it was his religion’s Sabbath holiday. Saturdays were the biggest sales day for the company, and it required all sales employees to work weekends.
- Once an employee succeeds in proving that alleged discrimination occurred in the workplace, the burden shifts to the employer to defend their practices. Analyze and explain at least two defenses or possible justifications for employer discrimination today and best practices to avoid such a lawsuit.
- Use at least three quality sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment.
- Produce writing that is clear and well organized and applies appropriate SWS style. Writing contains accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling.