Employment Relations Panelist Gloria Rowland Homolak Matters relating to the employment relationship, including employee status, hiring and firing, discrimination in employment, the law of pensions and benefits, workers compensation. The law generally looks at employment as a matter of contract. Thus, in many questions of employment law, the first question is whether the relationship involves employment or some different kind of contractual relationship, such as independent contractor. Discrimination in Employment Federal law prohibits employment discrimination because of race, color, national origin, legal alienage, sex, pregnancy, religion, age, disability and union activity.
Most state laws protect workers on the same grounds as federal law.
Some state and local laws also protect workers against discrimination for some added reasons such as marital status, sexual orientation or preference. The ADA also protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in public services and accommodations. While the term 'race' is not defined, the law prohibits all race discrimination. Thus, a white, just as a member of a racial minority group, is protected against employment discrimination. The serious health condition of a spouse, child or parent requiring the employee's care.