Employment and Equal Opportunity Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Human Relations Act

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act states that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to “foster the employment of all individuals in accordance with their fullest capacities regardless of their race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, use of guide or support animals because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, and to safeguard their right to obtain and hold employment without such discrimination, to assure equal opportunities to all individuals and to safeguard their rights to public accommodations and to secure housing accommodation and commercial property regardless of race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability, use of guide or support animals because of blindness or deafness of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of guide or support animals.”

Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act

The act states that it is the policy of the Commonwealth “that all persons shall have equal opportunities for education regardless of their race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability.”

Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance

This ordinance states that no employer in the City of Philadelphia shall discriminate against any employee or applicant in the terms or conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, or handicap.

_{Source:  University of Pennsylvania. Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs}

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