Laws prohibiting harassment in the workplace and schools

Federal statutes prohibiting discrimination including on the basis of disability might ultimately afford protections for victims of bullying and other forms of harassment in the workplace and in our schools.

If the bullying is based on a protected class status such as disability, race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or age, said bullying may be actionable.

The following statutes prohibit harassment:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin ("Title VII");

• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act bars discrimination on the basis of age ("ADEA");

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 bars discrimination on the basis of sex ("Title IX");

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 bars discrimination on the basis of disability (Section 504);

• The Americans with Disability Act ("ADA") also bars discrimination on the basis of disability. Please watch the following brief video on the ADA: