Nevada has strict laws against employment discrimination, which are handled by the Equal Rights Commission of either Las Vegas or Northern Nevada.
AGE
Age discrimination laws protect job applicants and employees. They prohibit discriminating against people age 40 and older. It is unlawful to use age as a consideration when determining whether to hire or fire an individual; to promote or demote them; when determining their salary or benefits; and when assigning jobs and training.
Employers are also prohibited from specifying a desired age in their employment advertisement, unless it is a legitimate necessity, such as working in a bar or joining a police force.
DISABILITY
Disabled individuals are afforded protection from discrimination with regard to hiring and firing, benefits and salary, promotions and demotions, and training and job assignments. Under employment laws, a person is disabled if they:
- Are mentally or physically impaired, to the extent at least one major life function is limited
- Are believed to have the impairment
- Have documentation of the impairment
A disabled individual will qualify for protection under Nevada law if they are able to perform the necessary job functions with or without the need for reasonable accommodations, including:
-
- Restructuring job duties, adjusting schedules, reassigning them to another open position
- Making the facilities easily accessible for a disabled individual
- Modifying or purchasing devices or equipment
- Modifying or altering training materials, examinations, or policies
- Arranging adequate interpreters or readers
It is the employer’s duty to reasonably accommodate the disabled individual as long as it does not cause an unreasonable hardship.
NATIONAL ORIGIN, RACE, RELIGION
Nevada law prohibits discriminating against individuals based on their national origin, including place of birth, culture, ancestry, or linguistic characteristics. Also prohibited is discrimination based on race, including the color of skin, texture of hair, or facial features. Nevada employment laws further prohibit discrimination against individuals due to their religion, including practices and beliefs. Employers cannot discriminate against an individual for any of the aforementioned reasons with regard to hiring, firing, assignments, training, promoting, demoting, or determining pay or benefits.
SEX
Nevada employment laws prohibit employers from discriminating against individuals based on their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, which is how they perceive themselves internally as male or female and how they express themselves through hairstyle, dress, behaviors, and mannerisms.
These laws also cover:
*Sexual Harassment – Harassment towards an individual that creates an uncomfortable and hostile work environment, by a man or woman, toward a man or woman.
*Pregnancy and Maternity – Nevada employment laws prohibit discriminating against an individual based on being pregnant, giving birth, or any related medical conditions.
Sex discrimination laws only apply to employers with at least 15 employees.
The Nevada laws include:
- Nevada Revised Statute 613.330
- Equal Pay Act of 1963
- Civil Rights Act of 1991
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
- Section 501 and Section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination, you need to contact Ace Law Group to discuss your situation and determine an appropriate course of action. The attorneys of Ace Law Group will zealously advocate for your rights under the law.