State of Indiana Job Discrimination Law

September 12th, 2006 Posted by Rachel

All citizens should be afforded equal opportunities, especially when it comes to employment. You should not be segregated, separated or otherwise discriminated against because of certain characteristics. You should be free to work in a place that you will not be harassed or made to feel intimidated. It is good to know that in Indiana there are laws protecting you from such violations of your civil rights. Employers, labor organizations and employment agencies are also offered protection from unfounded charges of discrimination.

The bases of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry should not be used to make employment decisions. This includes almost all aspects of employment from pre employment practices like recruiting and interviewing to termination and layoffs. Indiana (IN) job discrimination law in the workplace also makes it illegal to dismiss from employment, or to refuse to employ or rehire, any person solely because of his age if such person has attained the age of forty years and has not attained the age of seventy years. Harassment of an individual or group of individuals also falls under anti-discrimination laws.

Indiana (IN) job discrimination law in the workplace is quite clear about what constitutes discrimination solely on the basis of discrimination. Employers are expected to make existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. Job restructuring, modified work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, appropriate adjustment or modification of examinations, training materials or policies, the provision of qualified readers or interpreters, and other similar accommodations for individuals with disabilities are not considered unreasonable requests. To deny opportunities to an applicant or employee who is otherwise qualified based on the need to make reasonable accommodations would be considered by Indiana (IN) job discrimination law in the workplace to be a violation.

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Indiana (IN) State Discrimination Posting Requirements for Businesses

August 21st, 2006 Posted by Derrick

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission exists to ensure that all workers in Indiana are treated fairly. It is the law that most employers can not discriminate against any person because of race, religion, sex, disability, color, ancestry, and national origin. It is also the law that employers must display the Indiana State Discrimination Posters in the workplace.

The anti-discrimination laws in employment apply to any employer with six or more workers. The laws also apply to The State of Indiana and all its political and civil subdivisions. Furthermore, the laws apply to employment agencies, unions, and other labor organizations.

Employers for whom the laws apply can’t discriminate when hiring or firing a worker. They also can’t discriminate while training, disciplining, or during any other phase of employment. They can’t deny benefits or other privileges and they can’t harass employees or allow harassment to take place. A person who files a claim alleging any type of discrimination can’t be retaliated against for filing such a claim.

A person who feels he/she has been a victim of discrimination should file a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. The complaint must be signed and verified. It must be filed within one hundred and eighty days from the time of the alleged occurrence of discrimination. Again, under no circumstances can a person be discriminated against for filing such a complaint.

The rights of employees to not be victims of discrimination need to be displayed on Indiana state discrimination posters in the workplace. These posters must contain all the information the law requires them to contain. Also, the Indiana state discrimination posters should be placed in an area where employees are known to frequent and gather. Employers are required to follow the law for displaying such posters. Failure to do so will result in penalties and/or fines for the employer.

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Indiana Discrimination Notice

August 7th, 2006 Posted by Jane

The Indiana civil rights laws state that it is unlawful to discriminate in the areas of employment, property rental and sale, education, public accommodation or credit on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, disability, ancestry, and national origin. Familial status is added as a criteria for housing only.

The Indiana anti-discrimination statute covers some smaller employers not covered by federal law. While federal law covers employers with 15 or more employees, Indiana defines employers as companies with 6 or more people, the state of Indiana and its civil workers, unions and other labor organizations and employment agencies.

I know that according to the law it is unlawful to discriminate in hiring, firing, training, disciplining, compensation, advancement and other terms or conditions of employment. Employers also cannot deny equal benefits or privileges, harass employees because of their membership in a protected class, or retaliate against a person for filing a complaint, testifying at a hearing or assisting in an investigation.

A major addition to the law is in terms of the disabilities clause. According to this, employers may not deny a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability or conduct medical examinations (except in limited circumstances). The only exceptions to this are when providing accommodations is proven to be a hardship on the employer, but that is something the employer needs to prove.

Workers who feel they have suffered discrimination have 180 days to file a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

I understand that employers who are found guilty of committing illegal discriminatory acts may be subject to cease and desist orders, monetary damages, and other forms of remedial relief. Employers must post a sign detailing the Indiana anti-discrimination laws in a public place at their business.

The Indiana Complete Labor Law poster is available detailing all the current discrimination laws as well as all of the federal labor laws.

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