Most workers know that they have rights that entitle them to be free of illegal discrimination and from retaliation for reporting concerns of illegal discrimination in the workplace. However, many workers do not realize that they have rights to be free from discrimination even prior to being hired.
To start, the major anti-discrimination laws contain protections for job candidates. For example, Title VII, which prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, prohibits employers from failing or refusing to hire any individual because of illegal discrimination. Similarly, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits employers from failing or refusing to hire any individual because of the individuals age. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits any employer from discriminating against a qualified individual on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures and in hiring.
