Are caregivers a protected group under the federal EEO statutes?
I wrote an article recently that addresses this precise question.
Are There Any EEO Protections for Caregivers? Signs of Discrimination Against Female & Male Parents & Caregivers
No. The federal EEO statutes do not prohibit discrimination based solely on parental or other caregiver status. Under the federal EEO laws, discrimination must be based on a protected characteristic such as sex or race. However, some state or local laws may provide broader protections for caregivers. A particular caregiver also may have certain rights under other federal laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act. Q: What are some common circumstances under which discrimination against a worker with caregiving responsibilities might constitute unlawful disparate treatment under federal EEO law? A: The new enforcement guidance illustrates various circumstances under which discrimination against a caregiver might violate federal EEO law. Examples include: • Treating male caregivers more favorably than female caregivers: Denying women with young children an employment opportunity that is available to men with young children. • Sex-based stereotyping of working women: • Reassigning a
