Office of Affirmative Action
POLICIES
MAJOR LAWS PROHIBITING EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
A. Regulations requiring EEO/Non-Discrimination
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in 1972, 1978 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991
The most prominent source of anti-bias employment rules is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It forbids discrimination in all areas of the employer-employee relationship, from advertisement for new employees through termination or retirement, on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or abortion), religion, or national origin. The Civil Rights Act of 1991 included additional provisions to Title VII reversing or reinforcing certain U.S. Supreme Court decisions, damages for intentional discrimination and removal of exemptions for previously exempted employees of elected officials.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended protects qualified applicants and employees with disabilities from discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, job training, fringe benefits, classification, referral, and other aspects of employment on the basis of disability. The law also requires that covered entities provide qualified applicants and employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations that do not impose undue hardship.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, protects applicants and employees 40 years of age or older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment.
Equal Pay Act of 1963
In addition to sex discrimination prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended, prohibits sex discrimination in payment of wages to women and men performing substantially equal work in the same establishment.
B. Federal Contractor Regulations requiring Affirmative Action
Executive Order 11246
The Executive Order 11246, as amended prohibits job discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin and requires affirmative action to ensure equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, prohibits job discrimination because of handicap and requires affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with handicaps who, with reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of a job.
Vietnam Era and Special Disabled Veterans
38 U.S.C. 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 prohibits job discrimination and requires affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified Vietnam era veterans and qualified special disabled veterans.
C. Student Oriented/Non-Discriminatory Regulations
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
In addition to the protection of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities which receive Federal assistance.
D. Retaliation
Retaliation against a person who files a charge of discrimination, participates in an investigation, or opposes an unlawful employment practice is prohibited by all of these Federal laws.
At the University of Houston, any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against based on the reasons listed
above should immediately contact:
Abel Garza, Executive Director
The University of Houston
Office of Affirmative Action / EEO
Student Service Center 2
4800 Calhoun
Houston, Texas 77204-3020
Phone: (713) 743-8835
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