The 1975 US Sex Discrimination Act outlawed gender–based workplace discrimination. This
incident changed US human rights history since it was the first time the federal government
addressed workplace gender discrimination. The Act prohibited employers from discriminating
against employees based on sex, including hiring, firing, pay, promotions, and other
employment–related decisions.
This legislation was the first time the federal government addressed workplace gender
discrimination, representing a significant step forward in the fight for gender equality and
human rights in the United States. It resulted from years of feminist activism, as women’s rights
activists and organizations worked to bring attention to the issue of workplace discrimination
and lobby for change. In 1975, Congress enacted the Act and President Gerald Ford signed it
into law.
The Act has significantly impacted workplace discrimination and has helped promote gender
equality in the workplace. It has also been used as the basis for further legislation and court
cases aimed at addressing bias linked with sex, race, age, and other factors. The Act remains
an important piece of legislation in the United States and proceeds to act a significant role in
protecting workers’ rights.