Ethnic/National Origin

Executive Order 11246 prohibits covered federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, and requires affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunity without regard to those factors. Executive Order 11246 is enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, and other aspects of employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This law is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.

Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) prohibits discrimination against applicants, employees and participants in WIA Title I-financially assisted programs and activities, and programs that are part of the One-Stop system, on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Section 188 also prohibits discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, political affiliation or belief, and for beneficiaries only, citizenship or participation in a WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.

Under the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937, apprenticeship programs registered with the Department of Labor, and state apprenticeship programs registered with recognized state apprenticeship agencies, are prohibited from discriminating, and required to undertake affirmative action in apprenticeship programs, on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin and sex. This law is enforced by the Office of Apprenticeship.

Webpages on this topic

Equal Employment Opportunity Poster
Every employer covered by the non-discrimination and EEO laws is required to post on its premises the poster, "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law." The notice must be posted prominently, where it can be readily seen by employees and applicants for employment.

Executive Order 11246
EEO information for federal contractors regarding race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and national origin.

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
Monitors contractor compliance with the nondiscrimination and affirmative action provisions of Executive Order 11246.

Civil Rights Center
Oversees equal employment opportunity in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance as well as assuring equal opportunity for all applicants to and employees of DOL.

Laws on this Topic

Executive Order 11246 

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

29 USC §50 - National Apprenticeship Act of 1937

29 USC §2938 - Nondiscrimination Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998

Regulations on this Topic

29 CFR Part 30 - Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training

29 CFR Part 31 - Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Labor – Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

29 CFR Part 37 - Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA)

29 CFR 1604 - Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Sex

29 CFR 1605 - Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion

29 CFR 1606 - Guidelines on Discrimination Because of National Origin

41 CFR Chapter 60 - Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor