Federal Laws That May Apply
Federal, state, and local laws protect individuals against discrimination. Some federal anti-discrimination laws may apply to your business when placing ads for job applicants.
In general, Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq, (commonly called Title VII) prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants and employees on the basis of: race or color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, and national origin.
Title VII applies to:
- private employers with 15 or more employees
- the federal government
- employment agencies
- labor unions
- state agencies; and
- labor management committees.
The American with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213 (commonly called the ADA) protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of disabilities.
The ADA applies to:
- private employers with 15 or more employees
- government agencies
- employment agencies; and
- labor unions.
If you place an ad that discriminates against an individual under Title VII or the ADA or any other federal, state or local laws, you may face a lawsuit from that individual. Therefore, it is imperative that you chose your language carefully and/or consult a local attorney for any ads that may be questionable.
Next, we’ll go over some basic rules that you should follow when placing ads in the public.