Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Practice Exam

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a significant piece of legislation that provides a legal framework for addressing workplace discrimination, particularly against individuals with disabilities. This Act was one of the first to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in federal employment and in programs conducted by federal agencies. Its Section 504 specifically protects qualified individuals with disabilities from being excluded from participating in, denied benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

While other acts such as the Americans with Disabilities Act also address workplace discrimination, the Rehabilitation Act is specifically foundational in shaping policies and protections surrounding the hiring, promotion, and treatment of employees with disabilities in both public and private sector employment. The primary focus of this Act on disability-related discrimination establishes it as a key reference in discussions around workplace discrimination in this context.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act primarily deals with workplace safety and health standards, and the Fair Labor Standards Act focuses on wage and hour laws, neither of which directly addresses discrimination based on characteristics such as disability.