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February 27, 2010
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Civil Rights Terms and Definitions

 

 

 

Underutilization
To use less than fully; below potential use. This term is often applied to categories of employees who are working at jobs that do not make full use of their skills and abilities, although they may have been hired for those skills and abilities. When an employee is consistently assigned to "dead end" jobs, he or she may be underutilized because they are often seen as able to perform only limited tasks.

Minority
The smaller part of a group. A group within a country or state that differs in race, religion or national origin from the dominant group.

Disparate Treatment
Inconsistent application of rules and policies to an individual or one group of people over another. Discrimination may result when rules and policies are applied differently to members of protected classes. Disciplining Hispanic and Afro-American employees for tardiness, while ignoring tardiness among other employees, is an example of disparate treatment.

Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term condition of employment; Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual; or Such conduct has the purpose or effect or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

Ethnic Group
A group of peoples who share a common religion, color, or national origin. Irish-Americans, Mexican-Americans, German-Americans, Italian-Americans, Hindus, Moslems, and Jews are examples of ethnic groups. Some members of ethnic groups participate in the customs and practices of their groups, while others do not. Discrimination based on these customs and practices is illegal under EEO law.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 (Pub. L. 102-166) (CRA) amends several sections of Title VII. These amendments appear in boldface type. In addition, section 102 of the CRA (which is printed elsewhere in this publication) amends the Revised Statutes by adding a new section following section 1977 (42 U.S.C. 1981), to provide for the recovery of compensatory and punitive damages in cases of intentional violations of Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Cross references to Title VII as enacted appear in italics following each section heading.

Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities
A person with a disability is defined as one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

Class Complaint/Class Action
A complaint articulated or filed by a group of people who feel that personnel or management policies or practices discriminate against them as a group. Members of the group believe that a characteristic they share -- race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability is the basis for the discrimination.

Discrimination
Discrimination is defined in civil rights law as unfavorable or unfair treatment of a person or class of persons in comparison with others who are not members of the protected class because of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, physical/mental disability, or reprisal for opposition to discriminatory practices or participation in the EEO process.

Overt Discrimination
Overt discrimination is a specific, observable action taken against a person or class of persons because of protected status, e.g., national origin. This treatment also is referred to as "intentional discrimination. " Example: Failing to interview job applicants based solely on their race (race discrimination).

 

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Did You Know?    
 
 
Adjustments and changes an employer must make in the work schedule or work environment to meet the needs of his employees.


 


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Latest news about Civil Rights cases in Massachusetts and nationwide:

Former Memphis Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violations
Alexander Johnson, a former officer with the Memphis Police Department, pleaded guilty today to a one-count felony violation for conspiring to depr...
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Former New Mexico Corrections Officer Convicted On Federal Civil Rights Charges
A former New Mexico corrections officer, John Gould, was found guilty today by a federal jury in Albuquerque, N.M., of physically assaulting two pr...
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Civil Rights Leader Received Honorary Degree At '61 Commencement
Civil Rights Leader Received Honorary Degree At '61 Commencement

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a 32-year-old nation...

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Civil Rights Attorneys.com Terms

 


Today's Terms

Affirmative Action Plans/Affirmative Employment Plan

Definition:
Written plans for programs required by Executive Order 11478 and other laws and regulations. AAP's may contain studies, which show how the work force at the activity has been used, and may include goals and timetables for increasing the representation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in those areas where they have been underrepresented.

Underrepresention

Definition:
Inadequately represented in the work force of a particular activity. This term is used to describe the extent to which women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are represented in particular grade levels and job categories.

Sexual Harassment

Definition:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term condition of employment; Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual; or Such conduct has the purpose or effect or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

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Civil Rights Hot Topics

 
Topics Related to Civil Rights:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Death Penalty
  • Disability Rights
  • Drug Policy
  • Free Speech

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Massachusetts Civil-Right Attorney

 
If you live in the following cities and need an Civil-Right attorney you should contact our Civil-Right Attorney as soon as possible:

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