Are employers allowed to hire or fire an employee based on gender?
In Virginia, employers are not allowed to hire or fire an employee based on their gender. This is prohibited by the Virginia Human Rights Act which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, nationality, religion, age, or disability. Hiring or firing an employee on the basis of their gender is considered an act of discrimination and is forbidden. This act applies to employers with more than five employees, and applies to job postings as well as hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. Employers may not take into account any of these characteristics when making decisions about which applicants to hire, how to reward or promote someone, or when terminating an employee. Employers must also take care to ensure that all job postings state that they are an equal opportunity employer, meaning that they do not discriminate on the basis of gender or any other protected characteristic. Employers must also take steps to ensure that discrimination does not occur in the workplace, such as providing training on workplace expectations and ensuring that employees feel safe and respected. If an employee feels they have been discriminated against due to their gender, they can file a complaint with the Virginia Division of Human Rights and receive legal advice and assistance. Overall, employers in Virginia are not allowed to hire or fire an employee based on gender or other protected characteristics. They are also required to take steps to ensure that their workplace is free from discrimination.
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