Employment Law Terms and Definitions

Accessible Easy to approach, enter, operate, participate in, or use safely, independently and with dignity by a person with a disability (i.e., site, facility, work environment, service or program). Affirmative Action Positive action to accomplish the purpose of a program designed to increase the employment opportunities of certain groups. It may involve goals, timetables, or specifically outlined steps to be undertaken to assure that objectives are reached. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) A comprehensive civil rights law which makes it unlawful to discriminate in private sector employment against a qualified individual with a disability. Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §791, ("Section 501"), requires departments and agencies of the federal government to have an affirmative action program plan for the hiring, placement, and advancement of individuals with disabilities. Undue Hardship With respect to the provision of an accommodation, significant difficulty or expense incurred by a covered entity, when considered in light of certain factors. These factors include the nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the size, resources, nature, and structure of the employer's operation. Individual with a Disability A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of that person’s major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or who is regarded as having such an impairment. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA"), as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12111, et seq., prohibits discrimination in employment against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability. It also is unlawful under the Act for an employer to take retaliatory action against any individual for opposing employment practices made unlawful by the ADA or for filing a discrimination charge or for testifying or assisting or participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the ADA. Master agreements A contract between the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative. For collective bargaining, the employer is represented by the governor or the governor's designee. The LRO will negotiate contracts with each union that represents more than 500 employees. Curb Cut Also called a curb ramp, it is a depression built into the curb of a sidewalk to permit passage by a wheelchair. The incline should not exceed a gradient of 1:12 and the flat surface width should be no less than 4 feet wide. Affirmative Action Proactive action to accomplish the purposes of a program which is designed to increase the employment opportunities of certain groups, which may involve goals, timetables, or specifically outlined steps to be undertaken to assure that objectives are reached.

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	Did You Know?
	About Wrongful Termination employment Wrongful termination is a term that generally refers to a person being fired illegally. Many terminations that people think of as "wrongful" aren't illegal. In most states, employment is "at will". This means that the employer can fire the employee for no reason or any reason. However, there are two main reasons why a termination may be illegal- discrimination and contracts.