Are employers allowed to set different standards or expectations for employees based on their marital status?

In Utah, employers are not allowed to set different standards or expectations for employees based on their marital status, as this would constitute employment discrimination. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals due to their marital status in any employment-related decisions, such as hiring, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, job training, or any other terms or conditions of employment. The Utah Anti-Discrimination Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 both prohibit discrimination due to marital status. This means that any workplace policy or decision made by an employer must not be based on whether or not an employee is married, or if they are “single” or “divorced.” Additionally, employers cannot inquire about a potential employee’s marital status in the hiring process. It is important to note that although employers are not allowed to set different standards based on an employee’s marital status, they are allowed to set different standards for married and unmarried employees for certain roles and benefits, such as pension or health insurance coverage. There are, however, limits to this. In these cases, employers must still show that the different benefits are based on bona fide business or economic reasons and not due to a discriminatory intent. Thus, it is very important for employers to be aware of their legal obligations when it comes to setting different standards for their employees based on their marital status. Employers should also ensure that their employees are aware that this type of discrimination is prohibited.

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