What is employment discrimination law?

Employment discrimination law is a set of laws that protect individuals from unfair treatment based on their race, gender, religion, age, disability, national origin or other protected characteristics. In North Carolina, the primary law that governs employment discrimination is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on their protected class. It also requires employers to make reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, and prohibits employers from retaliating against individuals who file a discrimination complaint or are involved in a discrimination lawsuit. In addition to Title VII, North Carolina also has its own state Fair Employment Practices Act. This act extends the protections of Title VII and prohibits discrimination in the workplace because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or genetic information. The law also prohibits employers from retaliating against any employee who opposes discrimination, participates in an investigation or files a discrimination complaint. The state of North Carolina also has additional laws that protect workers, including the North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act and the North Carolina Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, military or veteran status, and genetic information. In addition to these laws, employers are also required to comply with any federal regulations related to employment discrimination. If an employer is found to be in violation of any of these laws, they can be held liable for any damages resulting from the discrimination, including back pay, emotional distress, lost wages and legal fees.

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