As an employee, your civil rights in the workplace protect you from discrimination and unlawful treatment. Importantly, both federal and state laws provide broad legal protections for workers.
These rules cover everything from fair pay and overtime to workplace safety, harassment, and retaliation for reporting misconduct. If you believe your employer has violated your rights, you may have legal options. The sections below outline key labor laws impacting the workplace in Phoenix.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII is one of the most important federal employment laws, and it prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants based on:
This law applies to employers with 15 or more employees and covers all stages of employment, including hiring, firing, promotion, and other related activities.
Under Title VII, discrimination can be intentional, such as refusing to promote someone because of their religion or national origin. It can also be unintentional, such as having a workplace policy that negatively affects one racial group more than others without a valid business reason.
Title VII also prohibits harassment based on protected characteristics and retaliation against employees who report discrimination or participate in investigations. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing Title VII.
Arizona Civil Rights Act
In Arizona, state law complements Title VII protections and, in some cases, extends them even further.
The Arizona Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
- Age
- Disability
- Pregnancy
Notably, Arizona law may apply to smaller employers, including those with fewer than 15 employees, in sexual harassment cases. This means even if your employer is not covered by Title VII due to size, you may still be protected under state law.
If you’ve experienced workplace discrimination in Arizona, you may file a claim with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Civil Rights Division.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
Age discrimination is not covered under Title VII but is prohibited by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA). This federal law protects employees and job applicants who are 40 years of age or older from being treated unfairly because of their age.
Under the ADEA, employers may not:
- Refuse to hire or promote an older applicant due to age.
- Fire or demote an employee because of age.
- Favor younger employees over older ones in terms of pay, benefits, or training.
The ADEA applies to employers with 20 or more employees.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical or mental disabilities and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations when needed.
To be protected under the ADA:
- You must have a qualified disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- You must be able to perform the essential functions of your job, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Examples of reasonable accommodations include modifying work schedules, providing assistive devices, or restructuring job duties. However, employers are not required to make accommodations that would cause undue hardship to their operations.
Filing a Complaint and Seeking Legal Help
Navigating employment discrimination claims can be technical and confusing. If you believe your rights have been violated, it’s important to keep records of communications, performance reviews, and discriminatory incidents.
You should also report the incident internally. If your employer fails to respond, you can submit a complaint with the EEOC or your state agency within the appropriate time frame (usually 180–300 days from the date of discrimination).
Contact the Phoenix Employment Lawyers at Houk Employment Attorneys for Help Today
If you’re facing employment discrimination in Phoenix, AZ, Houk Employment Attorneys is here for you. Our experienced Phoenix employment attorneys will help by building a strong case and negotiating compensation or reinstatement.
If you believe you’ve been mistreated at work, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
For more information, please contact the experienced employment attorneys at Houk Employment Attorneys to schedule an initial consultation today.
Our employment law firm is conveniently located near you, with an office in Phoenix, AZ.
Houk Employment Attorneys
1850 N Central Ave Suite 2010, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 569-2377
