Protected group
Encyclopedia
A protected group is a group of people qualified for special protection by a law, policy, or similar authority. In the United States
, the term is frequently used in connection with employees and employment.
U.S. federal law protects employees from discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, or religion. Many state laws also give certain protected groups special protection against harassment and discrimination, as do many employer policies. In some cases, sexual orientation or marital status can qualify a person for membership in a protected group.
Where discrimination on the basis of protected group status is concerned, a single act of discrimination may be based on membership in more than one protected group. For example, discrimination based on anti-Semitism may relate to religion, national origin, or both; discrimination against a pregnant woman might be based on sex, marital status, or both.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the term is frequently used in connection with employees and employment.
U.S. federal law protects employees from discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, or religion. Many state laws also give certain protected groups special protection against harassment and discrimination, as do many employer policies. In some cases, sexual orientation or marital status can qualify a person for membership in a protected group.
Where discrimination on the basis of protected group status is concerned, a single act of discrimination may be based on membership in more than one protected group. For example, discrimination based on anti-Semitism may relate to religion, national origin, or both; discrimination against a pregnant woman might be based on sex, marital status, or both.