Federal Laws Affecting Human Resource Practices |
Law |
Date |
Description |
National Labor Relations Act |
1935 |
Requires employers to recognize a union chosen by the majority of the employees and to establish procedures governing collective bargaining. |
Equal Pay Act |
1963 |
Prohibits pay differences based on sex for equal work. |
Civil Rights Act of 1964 |
1964 |
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. |
Age Discrimination in Employment Act |
1967, amended in 1978 and 1986 |
Prohibits age discrimination against employees between 40 and 65 years of age and restricts mandatory retirement. |
Pregnancy Discrimination Act |
1978 |
Prohibits discrimination or dismissal of women because of pregnancy alone and protects job security during maternity leaves. |
Occupational Safety and Health Act |
1970 |
Establishes mandatory safety and health standards in organizations. |
Vocational Rehabilitation Act |
1973 |
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disabilities and requires that employees be informed about affirmative action plans. |
Vietnam-Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act |
1974 |
Prohibits discrimination against disabled veteran's and Vietnam-era veterans. |
Mandatory Retirement Act |
1978 |
Prohibits the forced retirement of most employees before the age of 70. |
Immigration Reform and Control Act |
1986 |
Prohibits employers from knowingly hiring illegal aliens and prohibits employment on the basis of national origin of citizenship. |
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act |
1988 |
Requires employees to provide 60 days' notice before a facility closing or mass layoff. |
Employee Polygraph Protection Act |
1988 |
Limits an employer's ability to use lie detector tests. |
American with Disabilities Act |
1990 |
Prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals with physical or mental disabilities or the chronically ill and requires that "reasonable accommodations" be provided for the disabled. |
Civil Rights Act of 1991 |
1991 |
Reaffirms and tightens prohibition of discrimination. Permits individuals to sue for punitive damages in cases of intentional discrimination and shifts the burden of proof to the employer. |
Family and Medical Leave Act |
1993 |
Permits employees in organizations with 50 or more workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical reasons for each year. |