Workplace Rights and Laws

This sequence provides 10th-grade students with a comprehensive understanding of federal anti-discrimination laws in the workplace, covering protected classes, major legislative acts, legal theories of discrimination, and practical compliance application.

Defining Protected Classes

Students explore the concept of 'protected classes' under federal law, identifying specific categories and reviewing EEOC guidelines through interactive scenarios.

Title VII and Major Federal Acts

This lesson provides a deep dive into Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), focusing on the historical evolution of workplace rights.

Disparate Treatment vs. Disparate Impact

Students learn the legal distinction between intentional discrimination (disparate treatment) and neutral policies that have negative effects on protected groups (disparate impact). Using real-world case summaries, students analyze company policies to identify potential unintended liabilities.

The ADA in Practice

Focusing specifically on the ADA, students examine the concept of 'reasonable accommodation' versus 'undue hardship.' They work in small groups to review requests for accommodations in a fictional workplace and determine if the requests must be granted under the law.

Mock Compliance Audit

In this culminating lesson, students act as compliance officers auditing a fictional company's hiring and management practices. They review employee handbooks and interview transcripts to identify violations of federal anti-discrimination laws. The final output is a written report recommending changes to bring the company into compliance.