Your text indicated that several groups were protected by federal equal opportunity legislation. In these examples, indicate whether the group in question would be considered a federally protected class. In making your decision, do not take into account who you think would win the case. Instead, base your answer only on whether the person making the complaint is in a federally protected class. Assume that each organization has at least 15 employees.

Highlight your responses.

Federally Protected Class?

1. A recently retired military veteran was not offered a job for which she was qualified. No Yes

2. A Mormon says his religion forbids him to work on certain days. No Yes

3. A person who is hearing impaired claims she is disabled. No Yes

4. A gay applicant wasn’t hired because of his sexual orientation. No Yes

5. A male wasn’t hired for a sales position in a retail store specializing in women’s shoes. No Yes

6. A 24-year old woman wasn’t hired for a managerial position because she was too young. No Yes

7. A Norwegian applicant claimed he wasn’t hired because a Chinese restaurant hired only Asians. No Yes

8. A light-skinned African American would not hire a dark-skinned African American. No Yes

9. A store wouldn’t hire anyone with a college degree because it thought they were snobs. No Yes

10. A fast-food chain refused to hire any males with long hair. No Yes

Testing Your Legal Knowledge

You have just been hired as the employment law expert for a new NBC call-in show, Can I Sue? What would you tell the caller asking the following questions? Be sure to include the rationale for your answer as well as the law on which you are basing your answer. Type in your responses.

1. I am one of 25 employees in my company. I want to have a baby but my boss says that the company will not grant me leave. Can they do this?

2. I was burned badly as a child, and as a result, I have scars all over my face. I can’t seem to get a job at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Burger King because they think my looks will turn off the customers. Can they do that tome?

3. Mymalesupervisorwalksbehindallofhisemployeesandrubstheirshouldersbefore asking, “How is it going today?” Isn’t this sexual harassment?

4. A woman at work has sent me 15 love letters. After the third letter, I told her to stop. She continued sending the letters that included such statements as “I have enjoyed watching you so much over these past few months” and “I constantly imagine us in bed together.” Isn’t this sexual harassment?

5. Nine months ago I was refused a job. I think it was because I am Italian. Can I file a complaint with the EEOC?