What you learn:
- Identify protected characteristics across key regions
- Compare global legal landscapes and their implications for policies
- Analyze how local laws affect enforcement and reporting
- Apply a global perspective to policy development and training
Description:
This course covers protected characteristics across major jurisdictions and explains how laws and cultures influence policies and practice. You will compare the European Union, UK, and United States frameworks, and examine how global firms align policies with local requirements. Real-world examples illustrate compliance pitfalls and opportunities to strengthen inclusive environments.
Learners will gain a practical understanding of compliance obligations, reporting expectations, and the tension between local norms and global standards.
The United States relies on federal statutes to prohibit workplace harassment and discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, enforced by the EEOC, prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Additional protections come from the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and state or local laws. Harassment can constitute unlawful discrimination when it is severe or pervasive and affects employment conditions.
Liability can be vicarious for employers, with remedies including damages, back pay, reinstatement, and injunctive relief. Investigations follow a structured process prioritizing confidentiality and fairness.
For multinational teams, align U.S. obligations with local practices while upholding a consistent standard of respectful workplace behavior.