Protected group

For the computer science concept, see Information hiding.

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A protected group, protected class (USA), or prohibited grounds (Canada) is a category by which people qualified for special protection by a law, policy, or similar authority. In the Canada and the United States, the term is frequently used in connection with employees and employment.

Where illegal discrimination on the basis of protected group status is concerned, a single act of discrimination may be based on more than one protected class. For example, discrimination based on antisemitism may relate to religion, national origin, or both; discrimination against a pregnant woman might be based on sex, marital status, or both.^[1]

Canada

Further information: Human rights in Canada

The federal Canadian Human Rights Act and provincial human rights codes prohibits discrimination in house and employment on a number of grounds. For examples the federal law lists: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability, and conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.^[2]

United States

U.S. federal law protects individuals from discrimination or harassment based on the following nine protected classes: sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, religion, or genetic information (added in 2008)^{[clarification needed]}. Many state laws also give certain protected groups special protection against harassment and discrimination, as do many employer policies. Although it is not required by federal law, state law and employer policies may also protect employees from harassment or discrimination based on marital status or sexual orientation.^[1] The following characteristics are "protected" by United States federal anti-discrimination law:

• Race – Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Religion – Civil Rights Act of 1964
• National origin – Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Age (40 and over) – Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
• Sex – Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Sexual orientation and gender identity as of Bostock v. Clayton County – Civil Rights Act of 1964^[3]
• Pregnancy – Pregnancy Discrimination Act
• Familial status – Civil Rights Act of 1968 Title VIII: Prohibits discrimination for having children, with an exception for senior housing. Also prohibits making a preference for those with children.
• Disability status – Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Veteran status – Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
• Genetic information – Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

Individual states can and do create other classes for protection under state law.

Presidents have also issued executive orders which prohibit consideration of particular attributes in employment decisions of the United States government and its contractors. These have included Executive Order 11246 (1965), Executive Order 11478 (1969), Executive Order 13087 (1998), Executive Order 13279 (2003), and Executive Order 13672 (2014).

See also

• Civil Rights Act of 1866
• Affirmative action
• Equality Act 2010 (UK)
• Fair Housing Act
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
• Suspect classification

References

1. "Protected Group Member Law & Legal Definition". Retrieved 2008-12-21.
2. Canadian Human Rights Act, s. 3(1).
3. Liptak, Adam (2020-06-15). "Civil Rights Law Protects Gay and Transgender Workers, Supreme Court Rules". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-15.