Sex Discrimination

The federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against employees or applicants on the basis of sex—including gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, or pregnancy—in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoffs, training, benefits, leave, and any other term or condition of employment. Notably, an employment policy or practice that applies to everyone can be illegal if it has a negative impact on applicants or employees of a certain sex and is not job-related or necessary to the operation of the business. Finally, federal law also prohibits sexual harassment.