Who is protected by employment discrimination law?

Employment discrimination law in Virginia protects anyone working in or seeking employment in the state, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information. The Virginia Human Rights Act makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against individuals in areas of hiring, firing, pay rates, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, fringe benefits, or other conditions related to their employment. It is also unlawful for employers to discriminate or harass an individual based on any of the above protected characteristics. In addition to protecting employees, the law also protects applicants. Employers must treat all applicants equally, regardless of any of the categories listed above. Employers must provide full and fair consideration to each applicant and may not create any unfair hurdles or limits on the opportunities of individuals based on any of the listed categories. Employment discrimination law in Virginia also protects those who have already been employed, as employers must not discriminate against individuals who already work for them. This can include any form of adverse action, such as pay cuts, demotions, or terminations, that are based on any of the listed criteria. Finally, employers may not retaliate against individuals who have complained about discrimination in the workplace in any way.

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Who is protected by employment discrimination law?

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