Anti-discrimination Laws: Utah

Transcription

1 Anti-discriminatin Laws: Utah Resurce type: State Q&A Status: Law stated as at 10-Apr-2013 Jurisdictins: USA, Utah A Q&A guide t state anti-discriminatin law fr private emplyers in Utah. This Q&A addresses Utah laws prhibiting discriminatin, harassment and retaliatin. Federal, lcal r municipal law may impse additinal r different requirements. Answers t questins can be cmpared acrss a number f jurisdictins (see Anti-discriminatin Laws: State Q&A Tl). Christina M. Jepsn, Parsns, Behle & Latimer, with PLC Labr & Emplyment Cntents Overview f State Anti-discriminatin Law Overview f State Disability Discriminatin Law Overview f State Sexual Harassment Law Overview f State Anti-retaliatin Law State Prtected Classes Paragraph Overview f State Anti-discriminatin Law 1. What emplyment-related anti-discriminatin laws exist in yur state (include harassment and anti-retaliatin laws as anti-discriminatin laws)? Fr each antidiscriminatin law, please state its citatin and title (if applicable) and include infrmatin n: Which prtected classes are cvered. Which emplyers are affected (fr example, size, type r any exceptins). Prhibited emplyment-related discriminatry cnduct. Whether managers r supervisrs can be held individually liable fr discriminatry acts against emplyees. What entity administers and enfrces the law. What is the statute f limitatins fr filing a claim. Utah Antidiscriminatin Act: Utah Cde 34A t 34A Prtected Classes Cvered

2 The Utah Antidiscriminatin Act prhibits emplyment-related discriminatin n the basis f the fllwing prtected classes ( Race. Clr. Sex. Pregnancy. Childbirth. Pregnancy-related cnditins. Age (40 r lder). Religin. Natinal rigin. Disability. (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(1)(a)(i) (2012).) Affected Emplyers The Act applies t any persn emplying 15 r mre emplyees within the state fr each wrking day in each f 20 r mre calendar weeks in the current r preceding calendar year (Utah Cde 34A-5-102(1)(h)(i) (2012)). The Act des nt include: Religius: rganizatins r assciatins; r crpratins. Whlly wned subsidiaries, r agencies f religius rganizatins, assciatins r crpratins. (Utah Cde 34A-5-102(1)(h)(ii) (2012).) The Act als generally applies t: Emplyment agencies. Labr rganizatins. Jint apprenticeship cmmittees. Vcatinal schls.

3 (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(1)(b), (c) and (f) (2012).) Prhibited Cnduct Cvered Utah emplyers cannt d any f the fllwing t any "therwise qualified" persn because f their status in ne f the prtected classes: Refuse t hire r prmte. Discharge. Demte. Terminate. Retaliate against. Harass. Discriminate against with respect t cmpensatin r terms, privileges and cnditins f emplyment. (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(1)(a) (2012).) A persn cannt be cnsidered therwise qualified if she des nt pssess required qualificatins fr the jb (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(1)(a)(ii) (2012)). Unless based n a bna fide ccupatinal qualificatin ( (BFOQ), an emplyer is als prhibited frm printing r circulating any statement, advertisement r publicatin that expresses any limitatin, specificatin r discriminatin tward the prtected classes (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(1)(d) (2012)). An emplyer cannt express a limitatin r discriminatin based n a prtected characteristic in an: Emplyment applicatin. Inquiry f a prspective emplyee. (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(1)(d) (2012).) Fr mre infrmatin n hiring practices, see State Q&A, Hiring Requirements: Utah ( The Act des nt apply when a requirement based n a prtected class is a BFOQ. It is als nt discriminatry fr an emplyer t give preference in emplyment t: The emplyer's: spuse;

4 child; r sn- r daughter-in-law. Anyne fr whm the emplyer is financially respnsible, if that persn is unemplyed. Certain persns wh receive financial supprt frm the emplyer. Any persn whse educatin r training was substantially financed by the emplyer. (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(3)(a) (2012).) Individual Supervisr Liability The Act des nt address individual supervisr liability and Utah case law des nt establish any liability. Hwever, any persn generally is prhibited frm: Aiding, inciting, cmpelling r cercing a discriminatry r prhibited emplyment practice. Preventing anyne frm cmplying with the Act. Attempting t vilate the Act either directly r indirectly. (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(1)(e) (2012).) Administratin and Enfrcement The Utah Labr Cmmissin's Utah Antidiscriminatin & Labr Divisin (UALD) administers and enfrces this law (Utah Cde 34A (2012)). A persn claiming t be aggrieved by a discriminatry r prhibited emplyment practice may file a request fr agency actin (charge) with the UALD (Utah Cde 34A-5-107(1) (2012)). Under a wrkshare agreement, the UALD als acts n behalf f the Equal Emplyment Opprtunity Cmmissin ( (EEOC), unless the EEOC determines t investigate the charge (Utah Cde 34A-5-107(1)(d) (2012)). Statute f Limitatins The emplyee must file a charge with the UALD within 180 days after the alleged discriminatry emplyment practice ccurs (Utah Cde 34A-5-107(1)(c) (2012)). Under the wrk-share agreement with the EEOC, any claims utside the 180-day statute f limitatins but within the EEOC filing perid are referred t the EEOC.

5 Utah Genetic Testing Privacy Act: Utah Cde t Prtected Classes Cvered The Genetic Testing Privacy Act prhibits emplyers frm using genetic infrmatin fr emplyment purpses (Utah Cde t (2012)). This act applies t infrmatin abut inherited genes r a specific DNA marker that is btained frm a genetic test r DNA analysis f: The emplyee. The emplyee's bld relative. (Utah Cde (7)(a) (2012).) This act des nt apply t infrmatin derived frm: Rutine physical exams. Rutine chemical, bld r urine analysis. Tests fr drugs r HIV infectin. Tests perfrmed because f symptms r ther manifestatins f disease, illness, impairments r ther disrders. (Utah Cde (7)(b) (2012).) Affected Emplyers The Genetic Testing Privacy Act applies t all emplyers wh emply ne r mre wrkers r peratives (Utah Cde (1) and 34A-2-103(2) (2012)). The Act exempts dmestic emplyers under certain circumstances (Utah Cde 34A-2-103(4) (2012)). Prhibited Cnduct Regarding an emplyment-related decisin, an emplyer cannt: Access r cnsider private genetic infrmatin. Request r require an: individual t release private genetic infrmatin; r individual r his bld relative t submit t a genetic test.

6 Inquire int r cnsider the fact that an individual r his bld relative has taken r refused t take a genetic test. (Utah Cde (1) (2012).) An emplyer may seek an rder cmpelling disclsure f private genetic infrmatin regarding an emplyment-related: Judicial r administrative hearing where the emplyee placed his health at issue. Decisin where the emplyer reasnably believes that the emplyee's health cnditin pses a real and justifiable safety risk requiring change r denial f an assignment. (Utah Cde (2) (2012).) Individual Supervisr Liability The Genetic Testing Privacy Act des nt address individual supervisr liability. Administratin and Enfrcement The Utah attrney general has authrity t enfrce this law. The attrney general may: Bring an actin t restrain r enjin any vilatins. Seek a civil fine f up t $25,000 fr each vilatin. Seek csts f investigatin, litigatin and attrneys' fees. (Utah Cde (2012).) There is a private right f actin fr emplyees whse legal rights have been vilated. Aggrieved emplyees may: Recver damages. Receive equitable relief in a civil actin. (Utah Cde (1) (2012).) Any emplyer wh vilates the Genetic Testing Privacy Act is liable t the emplyee fr each separate vilatin fr: Actual damages. $100,000, if the vilatin is an intentinal and wilful act. Punitive damages, if the vilatin results frm a malicius act. Reasnable attrneys' fees.

7 (Utah Cde (2) (2012).) Statute f Limitatins The Genetic Testing Privacy Act des nt prvide a specific statute f limitatins. Tp Overview f State Disability Discriminatin Law 2. If there is a state law prhibiting disability discriminatin, please prvide the fllwing infrmatin: Wh is cnsidered disabled under the law? Des the law recgnize temprary disabilities? Des the law recgnize "regarded as" discriminatin? Des the law prtect alchl and illegal drug users, and if s, t what extent? Des the law require reasnable accmmdatin f persns with disabilities? Hw des a persn request reasnable accmmdatin and hw must an emplyer respnd? Please prvide a brief verview f accmmdatins that curts in yur jurisdictin have fund t be reasnable versus nt reasnable. Disability discriminatin is prhibited by the Utah Antidiscriminatin Act (Utah Cde 34A t 34A (2012)). Disability Definitin Under the Act, disability is a physical r mental disability as defined and cvered by the Americans with Disabilities Act f 1990 ( (ADA) (Utah Cde 34A-5-102(1)(e) (2012)). Temprary Disabilities The Act des nt specifically address temprary disabilities. "Regarded As" Discriminatin The Act des nt include a prvisin fr "regarded as" discriminatin.

8 Alchl and Illegal Drug Users The Act des nt specifically address alchl and illegal drug users. Hwever, the Act defines disability by referring t the ADA, which cvers drug and alchl use (see Practice Nte, Disability Accmmdatin under the ADA ( Duty t Prvide Reasnable Accmmdatin An emplyer may terminate the emplyment f an individual wh cannt perfrm the duties required f him with r withut a reasnable accmmdatin (Utah Cde 34A-5-106(2) (2012)). Requesting Reasnable Accmmdatin The Act des nt address the prcess fr requesting a reasnable accmmdatin. Reasnableness f Accmmdatin The Act des nt address the issue f reasnableness f the accmmdatin. Tp Overview f State Sexual Harassment Law 3. If there is a state law prhibiting wrkplace harassment, please prvide the fllwing infrmatin: Which prtected classes are prtected frm harassment? Is sexual harassment prhibited and if s, hw is sexual harassment defined? If sexual harassment is prhibited, are bth quid pr qu and hstile wrk envirnment harassment prhibited? Is same-sex sexual harassment prhibited? Is an emplyer subject t vicarius liability fr sexual harassment by its managers, supervisrs r ther emplyees? Is an emplyer subject t vicarius liability fr sexual harassment by nnemplyees? Wrkplace harassment is prhibited by the Utah Antidiscriminatin Act (Utah Cde 34A t 34A (2012)).

9 Prtected Classes The fllwing classes are prtected frm harassment: Race. Clr. Sex. Pregnancy. Childbirth. Pregnancy-related cnditins. Age (40 r lder). Religin. Natinal rigin. Disability. (Utah Cde 34A (2012).) Sexual Harassment The Act des nt specifically define sexual harassment, but it prhibits discriminatin r harassment n the basis f sex. Prhibited Sexual Harassment Types The Act des nt address sexual harassment types. Same-sex Sexual Harassment The Act des nt address same-sex sexual harassment. Vicarius Liability fr Emplyee Sexual Harassment The Act des nt address vicarius liability fr emplyee sexual harassment. Vicarius Liability fr Nn-emplyee Sexual Harassment The Act des nt address vicarius liability fr nn-emplyee sexual harassment. Tp

10 Overview f State Anti-retaliatin Law 4. Is there a state law prhibiting retaliatin in yur jurisdictin? If s, please include infrmatin n: What specific acts are prtected, if any. Hw is retaliatin defined? Whether an emplyer can be subject t vicarius liability fr retaliatry cnduct by an emplyee. Whether filing a wrkers' cmpensatin claim in yur jurisdictin is prtected frm retaliatin. Retaliatin is prhibited by the Utah Antidiscriminatin Act (Utah Cde 34A t 34A (2012)). Prtected Acts The Utah Antidiscriminatin Act prtects emplyees r applicants wh: Oppse an emplyment practice prhibited by the Act. File charges, testify, assist r participate in any way in any prceeding, investigatin r hearing under the Act. (Utah Cde 34A-5-102(1)(q) (2012).) Defining Retaliatin The Act defines retaliatin as an adverse actin by an emplyer against an emplyee r applicant because the persn has participated in prtected activity (see Prtected Acts) (Utah Cde 34A-5-102(1)(q) (2012)). The Act prhibits an emplyer frm retaliating against an therwise qualified persn because the persn is in a prtected class. Hwever, the definitin f "retaliate" appears t braden this prtectin t persns nt in a prtected class but wh engage in prtected acts. Vicarius Liability The Act des nt address vicarius liability. Wrkers' Cmpensatin Claims

11 The Utah Wrkers' Cmpensatin Act des nt include a retaliatin prvisin. Hwever, the Utah Supreme Curt has held that an emplyer wh fires r cnstructively discharges an emplyee fr filing a wrkers' cmpensatin claim: Vilates "a clear and substantial public plicy" f the state f Utah. May be sued by the emplyee fr wrngful discharge. (Tuchard v. La-Z-By Inc., 148 P.3d 945 (Utah 2006).) State Prtected Classes Paragraph 5. Please prvide a list f all state-specific prtected classes in paragraph frm that culd be inserted int an emplyment-related agreement r plicy in yur jurisdictin. Race, clr, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related cnditins, age (40 years r lder), religin, natinal rigin r disability.