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the Undue Hardship Defense)

National Labor Relations Act)

Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to protect persons with physical or mental disabilities from discrimination. Under the Act, a person is "disabled" if he or she has a ''a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.'' Although several other requirements must be met before a disabled employee is protected under the Act, the establishment of a disability is the first step.

Title VII of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, known as the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, grants many employees of most federal executive agencies the right to organize into labor unions. In addition to granting these rights to covered federal employees, the Statute sets forth certain practices by labor organizations or federal employers that are illegal under federal law.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. Actionable employment discrimination can stem from adverse employment actions like being fired or demoted on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. It can also stem from a hostile work environment created by pervasive or substantial sexual harassment. If an employee believes that he or she is the victim of unlawful employment discrimination, he or she may pursue remedies under Title VII.