length: 1021 words 2.9 double spaced pages what is employment law and why is it important? that is the questions that this paper is going to discuss. This paper will go over the history of a few of the important acts that have been passed over the years to protect employees in the united states. This will also discuss the major protections that these acts provide and who are eligible for that protection. As well as what are the differences between an independent contractor and an employee.

Lastly this will discuss what are the necessary steps a worker do to obtain protection under one of the acts. The first act is the pregnancy discrimination act this act was put in to place in 1978 as an amendment to title vii.5. According to cheesman, this amendment forbids employment discrimination because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Thus, a work rule that prohibits the hiring of a pregnant women violates title vii 2007. The second act is the americans with disabilities act this act was signed into law on july 26, 1990 and is the largest civil rights legislation since the civil rights act of 1964. Cheesman states that, the ada imposes obligations on employers and providers of public transportation. Telecommunications, and public accommodations to accommodate individuals with disabilities 2007.

The next act is the age discrimination in employment act this act was enacted in 1967. The age discrimination in employment act adea , prohibits certain age discrimination practices cheesman, 2007. Another act is the family and medical leave act this act was passed through congress in february of 1993. This act allows employees an unpaid leave of absence for any medical emergencies.

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The act, which applies to companies with 50 or more workers as well as federal, state, and local governments, covers about half of the nation’s workforce cheesman 2007. The last act is title vii of the civil rights act of 1964 this act was created to eliminate job discrimination based on five protected classes, race, color, national origin, sex and religion. Ok so there is the history of the acts but what exactly does they each protect? with the pregnancy discrimination act prohibits a company from making a rule stating that they will not hire a pregnant woman or a woman that has recently given birth. This act would protect any woman that is searching employment during or right after a pregnancy.

The americans with disabilities act requires employers to accommodate any worker that has a disability with transportation, access and telecommunications, of course any employee with a disability would be protected under this act. The next act is the age discrimination in employment act, which provides protection for older people from being declined employment due to their age. The individuals being protected would be older unemployed persons seeking employment. The family and medical leave act allows employees that have a medical emergency arise take a leave of unpaid absence for up to 12 weeks without loosing their position, pay rate or benefits. The employees that would receive protection under this act would be anyone that has a medical emergency, a childbirth or adoption. Lastly title vii of the civil rights act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against anyone due to their race, color, national origin or religion. The employees that are covered by title vii are anyone that has experienced discrimination due to these protected classes.

So are there any differences between an independent contractor and an employee, absolutely. There are many differences from an independent contractor and an employee for one thing a contractor is exactly what the name says, independent. A contractor is hired to do a duty for the principle and is not required to answer to the principle. Also as cheesman states, independent contractors usually work for a number of clients, have their own offices, hire employees, and control the performance of their work 2007. Most independent contractors are considered sole proprietors and have control over the jobs that they accept and reject. Employees on the other hand have to answer to the principle and obey the regulations and requirements of the employer. Also the employee works out of the office of the employer and is not a sole proprietor.

Cheesman claims, the crucial factor in determining whether someone is an independent contractor or an employee is the degree of control the principal has over the agent 2007. What is necessary to obtain protection under one of the acts listed above? its is fairly simple really, all that is required is for the individual to be an employee or seeking employment to find the protection that these acts provide. If there is any individual that has received any discrimination for anything mentioned above then there is coverage for that individual.