Final answer:
Protected classes are groups safeguarded from discrimination by various federal laws, including the Civil Rights Act, ADA, ADEA, the Equal Pay Act, and GINA, which cover race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, and genetic information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Protected classes are specific groups of people who are legally shielded from discrimination by a series of federal laws. The following are some of the key protected classes and the corresponding laws under which they are protected:
- Race, Color, Religion, Sex, and National Origin - Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Disability - Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- Age - Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA)
- Sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) - Equal Pay Act of 1963 and amendments to Title VII
- Genetic Information - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)
Over time, these foundational laws have been supplemented and clarified through additional legislation, regulations, and court rulings to enhance the protection of these classes.