VA Human Rights Act Update

Virginia’s Human Rights Act protects individuals from unlawful discrimination within the Commonwealth of Virginia based on a number of factors. This list previously consisted of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status or disability.

Ethnic origin has now been added to the listicle of protected categories, which is important for all Virginia employers to note. It is recommended that all handbooks, retaliation policies, anti-discrimination policies, harassment policies & EEO policies be updated to include ethnic origin.