Employment Law Terms and Definitions

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) A comprehensive civil rights law which makes it unlawful to discriminate in private sector employment against a qualified individual with a disability. Executive Order 11246 Executive Order 11246, as amended, prohibits discrimination in employment by contractors with the federal government on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) of the U.S. Department of Labor is the federal agency responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under Executive Order 11246. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act seeks to ensure that members of the uniformed services are entitled to return to their civilian employment upon completion of their active duty military service. Affirmative Action Proactive action to accomplish the purposes of a program which is designed to increase the employment opportunities of certain groups, which may involve goals, timetables, or specifically outlined steps to be undertaken to assure that objectives are reached. Human resource management system (HRMS) An integrated software application that supports a variety of human resource functions, including benefits, payroll, recruiting and training, performance analysis, and provides data review and reporting tools. Accessible Easy to approach, enter, operate, participate in, or use safely, independently and with dignity by a person with a disability (i.e., site, facility, work environment, service or program). Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA"), as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12111, et seq., prohibits discrimination in employment against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability. It also is unlawful under the Act for an employer to take retaliatory action against any individual for opposing employment practices made unlawful by the ADA or for filing a discrimination charge or for testifying or assisting or participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the ADA. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §2000e, et seq., prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, national origin and religion. It also is unlawful under the Act for an employer to take retaliatory action against any individual for opposing employment practices made unlawful by Title VII or for filing a discrimination charge or for testifying or assisting or participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under Title VII. Curb Cut Also called a curb ramp, it is a depression built into the curb of a sidewalk to permit passage by a wheelchair. The incline should not exceed a gradient of 1:12 and the flat surface width should be no less than 4 feet wide. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Title I of the ADA against private employers and the Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice enforces Title I of the ADA against state and local government employers. Title I of the ADA designates the EEOC as the federal agency primarily responsible for investigating individual charges of discrimination under the Act.

Contact our Illinois Employment Lawyer Now.

	Did You Know?
	About at will employment In certain states, employers do not have the right to terminate employees "at will" if the termination violates public policy, an implied employment contract, or an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.