New Hampshire
How Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Woolworth Co. applies in New Hampshire: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Employment Law.
New Hampshire law mirrors federal principles regarding employment discrimination but often includes broader protections. The state places a strong emphasis on equal employment opportunity and has specific statutes that address discrimination in various contexts.
New Hampshire's statute RSA 354-A prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, and age, aligning closely with federal regulations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The court held that retaliation against an employee for filing a discrimination complaint constitutes an independent violation of the state human rights law.
The court affirmed that even perceived discrimination during the hiring process is subject to review under state law.
While New Hampshire law effectively aligns with the federal standard set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it also provides additional protections such as non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and familial status, which are not universally covered by federal law. New Hampshire takes a proactive stance in protecting employee rights against discrimination in the workplace.
Questions on employment discrimination may include references to both federal standards and New Hampshire-specific statutes, making familiarity with both essential for the bar exam.