Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, business of 20 or more employees are barred from discriminating against an employee or a job applicant who is at least 40 years old on the basis of age.
Also, under the Consolidation Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), an employee who leaves a business can continue to obtain health coverage for a fee for a set period (usually up to 18 months) if the business had a health plan and at least 20 employees in the prior year.
Businesses of 15 or more employees can be subject to penalties under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if they discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Also, disabled employees are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which bars employers from discriminating on the basis of a disability. Employers must make reasonable accommodations for the disability.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires businesses of all sizes to comply with established safety and health standards. However, only businesses with more than 10 employees must meet the reporting requirements covering workplace accidents and illnesses. Penalties can be imposed for violations of these rules.
No Comments