Protected group
A protected group is a group, usually 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.[1]
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.[1]
Protected groups do not necessarily consist just of people. In Arizona, for example, there are protected groups of native plants.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Protected Group Member Law & Legal Definition". Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ "Protected group of plants..." Arizona Revised Statutes §3-903. Justia.com. Retrieved 2008-12-21.