What are not federally protected classes?

Asked by: Rubye Kreiger DVM  |  Last update: July 21, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (18 votes)

Federally unprotected classes include characteristics like education level, criminal record, marital status (in some contexts), weight, and political affiliation. While federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40+), and disability, it does not explicitly cover factors such as socioeconomic status, sexual orientation/gender identity (currently contested/evolving interpretation), or, in some cases, smoker status.

Which is not a federally protected class?

What Is Not Considered a Protected Class? Groups not explicitly outlined in federal anti-discrimination laws do not fall under protected classes. For example, discrimination based on political affiliation, physical appearance, or income level is generally not protected under federal law.

What are the seven (7) federally protected classes?

The seven federally protected classes under the Fair Housing Act are race, religion, national origin, color, familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household), sex, and disability.

What classes are not protected under federal fair housing laws?

Classes And Properties Not Protected Under Fair Housing Act

  • Single-family homes being put up for rent or sale without a broker.
  • Owner-occupied homes having four or less number of units.
  • Private organizations or clubs which are meant only for members.
  • Tenants using illicit drugs.

What are the protected classes for federal employees?

Application & Hiring. It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant because of his or her race, color, religion, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

HR Basics: Protected Classes

42 related questions found

What are the 10 protected classes?

These include race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (specifically for individuals 40 or older), sexual orientation, and military or veteran status.

Are veterans a protected class?

IN CALIFORNIA, MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY AND VETERANS ARE PROTECTED FROM DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS.

Which of the following is not a protected class under federal fair housing?

The group that is not protected under federal fair housing laws is D. Veterans. The Fair Housing Act protects categories such as race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, but veterans are not explicitly listed as protected.

Which of the following is not allowed under federal fair housing law?

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of: Race. Color. National Origin.

What are the six protected classes?

The six protected classes are 1) anticonvulsants, 2) antidepressants, 3) antineoplastics, 4) antipsychotics, 5) antiretrovirals, and 6) immunosuppressants.

What are the 12 protected characteristics?

Types of discrimination ('protected characteristics')

  • age.
  • gender reassignment.
  • being married or in a civil partnership.
  • being pregnant or on maternity leave.
  • disability.
  • race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.
  • religion or belief.
  • sex.

How to prove housing discrimination?

To prove housing discrimination, you generally need to show you're in a protected class, qualified for the housing, were denied or treated poorly, and the housing remained available to others, often by gathering documentation (emails, ads, notes) and using "testers" (a friend in a different group applying for the same place) to show different treatment, then filing a complaint with HUD or a state agency.

Is age a protected class federally?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

Can I be fired for work restrictions?

in California, you generally cannot be fired solely for having work restrictions due to a medical condition or disability. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

What is the most protected class in America?

What Are the Top Seven Protected Classes?

  • Race and Color. Race discrimination constitutes treating an employee or job applicant unfavorably based on their specific race. ...
  • Religion. ...
  • Sex (Gender) ...
  • National Origin. ...
  • Disability. ...
  • Genetic Information.

Which of these are exempt from the Federal Fair housing Act?

An owner of a single-family home that is rented without the use of a real estate agent or a management company are exempt from the federal Fair Housing Act as long as the private landlord/owner doesn't own more than three homes at the time.

Which activity is not prohibited under the Fair housing Act?

The activity that is NOT prohibited under the Fair Housing Act is refusing to enter into a listing agreement with a 17-year-old Hispanic woman, as age is not a protected characteristic. All the other options involve discrimination based on protected classes.

What groups are not protected under federal housing laws?

The Fair Housing Act affords no protections to individuals with or without disabilities who present a direct threat to the persons or property of others.

Which class is not protected?

Employment Status, which is not a federally protected class. Unlike religion, age, and race, there are no federal protections against discrimination based on employment status. Therefore, employment status does not have the same legal protections as the other listed classes.

What are 8 federally protected classes?

Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or transgender status), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

What are the 14 protected categories?

The protected classes include: age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or any other bases under the law.

What is the 70 40 rule for veterans?

The VA 70/40 Rule is a pathway to qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits, allowing veterans to receive 100% disability pay if service-connected conditions prevent them from working, even without a 100% combined rating. It generally requires having a combined rating of at least 70% and at least one service-connected condition rated at 40% or higher, or sometimes a single condition at 60%. This rule helps veterans whose disabilities stop them from maintaining "substantially gainful employment".

Is religion a protected class?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees and job applicants from discrimination based on religion. Title VII also requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee or prospective employee, unless doing so would create an “undue hardship” on the employer.

What are the nine protected categories?

The characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act 2010 are:

  • age.
  • disability.
  • gender reassignment.
  • marriage or civil partnership (in employment only)
  • pregnancy and maternity.
  • race.
  • religion or belief.
  • sex.

Are homeless a protected class in California?

While homeless are not specifically protected, california law requires that paying customers be provided access to the gas stations restroom. If the owner wants to stop the guy from using the restroom he would have to refuse him service entirely.