Major Federal Equal Opportunity Laws: By Category

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: 

Executive Order 11246 (as amended by E.O. 11375) – requires federal contractors and subcontractors to establish affirmative action programs for women and minorities and prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - establishes nondiscrimination and affirmative action obligations of federal contractors and subcontractors with respect to employment of qualified individuals with disabilities

Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 - establishes nondiscrimination and affirmative action obligations of federal contractors and subcontractors with respect to employment of qualified disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era
 
AGE:

Age Discrimination Act of 1975 - prohibits discrimination based on age in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 - prohibits discrimination based on age in employment for employees and job applicants 40 years of age or older
 
DISABILITY:

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, public accommodations, public services, transportation, and telecommunications and requires provision of reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities

Section 503, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination based on disability in federally assisted programs and requires affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities

Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance
 
GENDER:

Equal Pay Act of 1963 - prohibits pay differentials based on sex

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits harassment and other discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972 - prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance

Executive Order 11375 (amended E.O. 11246) - prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and requires federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women and minority group members
 
PREGNANCY:

Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 - prohibits discrimination in employment based on pregnancy, childbirth, or other related conditions
 
RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

Executive Order 11246 (as amended by E.O. 11375) - prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin and requires federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women and minority group members
 
RELIGION:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; requires reasonable accommodation of employee religious observances
 
VETERN STATUS:

Section 402 Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance of 1974 - prohibits discrimination based on status as a special disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era and requires federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified special disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era