Who needs to post the West Virginia Human Rights Act Poster?
West Virginia law requires every employer, labor organization, employment agency and person operating a place of public accommodation to post in a conspicuous place or places on his or her premises the West Virginia Human Rights Act Poster, which sets forth excerpts of the Human Rights Act and such other relevant information which the Human Rights Commission deems necessary. (WV Code §5-11-17). “Place of public accommodations” means any establishment, including public agencies, which offers services, goods, facilities or accommodations to the general public.
What does the Human Rights Act Poster cover?
- The West Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits Discrimination in Employment. The law prohibits any employer from discriminating against an individual with respect to compensation, hire, tenure, terms, conditions or privileges of employment based on the individual’s race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability or age, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or based upon state or federal security regulations. (WV Code §5-11-9(1).)
- The West Virginia Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act requires employers to reasonably accommodate limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions of a job applicant or employee, unless the accommodation would constitute an undue hardship. (WV §5-11B-2). The law provides that an employer may not deny employment opportunities to a job applicant or employee affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, an employer may not require a job applicant or employee affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions to accept an accommodation, and an employer may not require an employee affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions to take a leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided.
- The West Virginia Human Rights Act prohibits Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodations. The law states that it is unlawful for any person being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent or employee of any place of public accommodations to refuse, withhold from or deny to any individual because of his or her race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness or disability, either directly or indirectly, any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services of the place of public accommodations. (WV Code §5-11-9(6).)
Employees who believe their rights have been violated under any of these acts should refer to the contact information for the West Virginia Human Rights Commission provided on this poster.