The Legal Environment: Equal Employment Opportunity and Safety
CHAPTER 3
The Legal Environment: Equal Employment Opportunity and Safety
Chapter Summary
The legal environment is one of the critical environmental factors that affects the management of people. This chapter first describes the U.S. legal system, including the legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and judicial bodies whose decisions affect the legality of HRM practices. Major laws and executive orders, particularly those pertaining to elements of discrimination, are then reviewed. Four theories of discrimination are presented along with court case examples. Next, sexual harassment and the Americans with Disabilities Act are discussed. Finally, the chapter reviews what policies and practices employers may develop regarding employee safety.
Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Identify the three branches of government and the role each plays in influencing the legal environment of human resource management.
2. List the major federal laws that require equal employment opportunity and the protections provided by each of these laws.
3. Discuss the roles, responsibilities, and requirements of the federal agencies responsible for enforcing equal employment opportunity laws.
4. Identify the three theories of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and apply these theories to different discrimination situations.
5. Identify behavior that constitutes sexual harassment and list things that an organization can do to eliminate or minimize it.
6. Discuss the legal issues involved with preferential treatment programs.
7. Identify the major provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) and the rights of employees that are guaranteed by this act
Extended Chapter Outline
Note: Key terms appear in boldface and are listed in the “Chapter Vocabulary” section.
Opening Vignette: Competitive Advantage at Home Depot?
The opening vignette describes the situation at Home Depot. Current
The Legal Environment: Equal Employment Opportunity and Safety
Chapter Summary
The legal environment is one of the critical environmental factors that affects the management of people. This chapter first describes the U.S. legal system, including the legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and judicial bodies whose decisions affect the legality of HRM practices. Major laws and executive orders, particularly those pertaining to elements of discrimination, are then reviewed. Four theories of discrimination are presented along with court case examples. Next, sexual harassment and the Americans with Disabilities Act are discussed. Finally, the chapter reviews what policies and practices employers may develop regarding employee safety.
Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. Identify the three branches of government and the role each plays in influencing the legal environment of human resource management.
2. List the major federal laws that require equal employment opportunity and the protections provided by each of these laws.
3. Discuss the roles, responsibilities, and requirements of the federal agencies responsible for enforcing equal employment opportunity laws.
4. Identify the three theories of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and apply these theories to different discrimination situations.
5. Identify behavior that constitutes sexual harassment and list things that an organization can do to eliminate or minimize it.
6. Discuss the legal issues involved with preferential treatment programs.
7. Identify the major provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) and the rights of employees that are guaranteed by this act
Extended Chapter Outline
Note: Key terms appear in boldface and are listed in the “Chapter Vocabulary” section.
Opening Vignette: Competitive Advantage at Home Depot?
The opening vignette describes the situation at Home Depot. Current
Citations: Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 Executive Orders (#11246 & #11478)