Browse 17 federal statutes, 91+ state laws, and 45 local ordinances that protect workers across the United States.
17 statutes that protect workers nationwide
Title VII is the cornerstone federal anti-discrimination statute. It prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against employe...
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment. Title...
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects employees and job applicants who are 40 years of age or older from discrimination based on ag...
The Equal Pay Act (EPA) prohibits sex-based wage discrimination between men and women who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort,...
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of preg...
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), effective June 27, 2023, requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified emplo...
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per yea...
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time...
Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 guarantees all persons the same right to make and enforce contracts as is enjoyed by white citizens. In t...
Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibits employers from using genetic information in making employment decisions, re...
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects the civilian employment rights of military service members, including ...
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects the rights of employees to organize, form or join labor unions, bargain collectively through represen...
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to ...
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers with 100 or more full-time employees to provide at least 60 calendar d...
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first major federal legislation to address discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 501 pr...
Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) provides whistleblower protections to employees of publicly traded companies who report conduct they reaso...
Section 1324b of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prohibits citizenship status discrimination and national origin discrimination in hiring, f...
All 50 states covered — select your state for specific protections
Legal Information, Not Legal Advice
This guide provides educational information about employment law. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently — verify current requirements with the relevant agency or a qualified employment attorney. Last reviewed: February 2025.