The 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause (Essay Sample)

The 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause
Name
Institution
Equal protection clause is a part of the fourteenth amendment to the us constitution that gives a directive to all the states not deny to any person as long as he/ she is covered by the equal protection of laws. This means that the laws governing a state must treat an individual in a similar way as other people in exact same conditions and circumstances. The main aim of the clause is to promote equal application of the law. It prevents the state ability to discriminate and therefore crucial in protecting civil rights of the citizens
Equal protection clause operates on a basic principle that all persons similarly situated should be treated in a similar way. The 14th amendment protects people from discrimination by organizations and governments. The definition of prohibited discrimination has workforce/ workplace discrimination as a part of it. The clause prohibits discrimination from entities in the on the basis of religion, disability, sex, race/color, pregnancy age sexual orientation, bankruptcy, citizenship status, genetic information and military service affiliation (Player 2017). The clause further prohibits unfair practices by the employer when it comes to hiring, firing and forced retirements. It promotes equality in compensation, health and fringe benefits that employees get in the workplace. Several acts as discussed below have been enacted to ensure there is at least zero discrimination at the workplace
The equal pay act forbids employers and unions from giving employees different pay based on their sex orientation. It advocates for equal pay for workers who perform equal work using equal skills effort and responsibility performing under similar working conditions. Pregnancy act ensures that employees are not unlawfully discriminated following pregnancy, childbirth or a medical related problem. Pregnancy leave and pregnancy-related issues are further addressed in the family and medical leave act. Age Discrimination Act that was amended in 1978 and 1968 protects employees from discrimination on basis of their age, specifically those over 40. ADEA prohibits forced retirements and also clarifies benefits pension and retirement plans. Employees are also protected from discrimination on basis of bad debts or bankruptcy by the bankruptcy reform act of 1978. The immigration reform and control act gives a directive that no employer with more than three employees can discriminate them on basis of their nationality or citizenships. While making of hiring firing job placement and promotion decisions the 2008 genetic information nondiscrimination act bars use of an individual’s genetic information from influencing the decisions. The Americans with Disab...