By Kent Hoover | Phoenix Business Journal
Legislation that would bar employers from discriminating against workers based on their sexual orientation or gender identity was introduced in Congress today.
What? Isn’t that kind of employment discrimination already illegal?
Not in much of the U.S. There’s no federal law prohibiting it. In 29 states, it’s legal for an employer to refuse to hire somebody — or fire them — because they are gay. In 34 states, transgender people can legally be discriminated against at the workplace.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., thinks that situation must end, so he and Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., have reintroduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This bill would prohibit employers from discriminating against workers or job applicants based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin and disability already is illegal under federal law.
If you’d like to discuss employment or health care law, contact David Weissman, director of the Rose Law Group Employment Law and Managed Health Care Law Practice, dweissman@roselawgroup.com
