Protected Categories: Understanding the 14 Categories Protected by Law

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What are the 14 protected categories?
Federal protected classes include: Race. Color. Religion or creed. National origin or ancestry. Sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Age. Physical or mental disability. Veteran status.
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There are several groups that are shielded from workplace discrimination by both federal and state law. These classifications are known as the “protected categories,” and they include gender, age, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, race, color, and any other characteristics that are legally protected. The 14 protected categories will be covered in this article, along with their definitions.

The fourteen Protected Categories

1. Race: Race discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly due to their race or due to personal traits connected to race.

2. Skin tone: To discriminate against someone based on their skin tone is to treat them differently.

3. Religion: Workers are exempt from being treated unfairly because of their religious convictions or practices.

4. National Origin: It’s against the law to treat someone poorly because of where they were born, their heritage, their culture, or their linguistic traits.

5. Sex: Sexism refers to the practice of treating individuals differently based on their gender or sexual orientation.

6. Age: When someone is treated poorly due to their age, it is typically someone who is 40 years of age or older.

7. Disabilities: Employees with disabilities are protected from discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) based on their disability status. Genetic data: Employers are not permitted to use genetic data for making employment decisions.

9. Citizenship Status: An employee’s citizenship status cannot be used as a basis for discrimination by an employer.

Veteran Status: Employers are not permitted to treat a person differently on the basis of their veteran status.

11. Pregnancy: Treating someone negatively due to pregnancy, delivery, or associated medical issues constitutes pregnancy discrimination. 12. Childbirth: Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for conditions linked to pregnancy and childbirth.

13. Any Other Protected Characteristic: This can refer to any trait that is shielded by the law, such as marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

14. Retaliation: It is forbidden for employers to take adverse action against workers who report discrimination or take part in a discrimination investigation.

In DC, is 30 hours a full day?

There is no official definition of “full-time” or “part-time” employment in Washington, D.C. Instead, it is up to the employer to decide whether a position is full- or part-time. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires, however, that businesses with 50 full-time equivalent employees or more offer health insurance to their full-time staff, which is defined as individuals who put in an average of 30 or more hours per week of work.

In 2022, what will the minimum wage in DC be?

The minimum wage in Washington, D.C., is anticipated to rise yearly until it hits $15 per hour in 2022. The minimum wage in D.C. is $15.20 per hour as of July 1, 2021, for all workers, regardless of age or profession.

Will the DC minimum wage increase in 2021?

Yes, all employees in D.C. will start receiving the new $15.20 minimum wage on July 1, 2021. What is covered by the OSHA It’s the Law poster?

The “It’s the Law” poster from OSHA describes what companies and employees are expected to do in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The poster covers a number of subjects, including the need for a safe workplace, who to contact in the event of a safety issue, and how to lodge a complaint. This poster must be put on display by all businesses who are OSHA-compliant in a visible spot in the office.

FAQ
Also, do you have to display health and safety poster?

Yes, it is mandatory by law for companies to exhibit the health and safety poster prominently around the workplace. When it comes to workplace health and safety, the poster highlights the obligations of both employers and employees. Fines and legal repercussions may come from failure to display the poster.

Which groups do not come under OSHA coverage?

Although it doesn’t particularly address OSHA coverage, the article “Protected Categories: Understanding the 14 Categories Protected by Law” concentrates on the 14 groups of people that are legally protected from discrimination. As a result, it is silent regarding the categories that are not covered by OSHA. However, the majority of private sector companies and their employees are normally covered by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), with a few exceptions such self-employed people, family farms, and government workers.