Which class is NOT considered a protected class under Equal Employment Opportunity laws?

Marital status is not considered a protected class under Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws at the federal level in the United States. EEO laws primarily protect individuals from discrimination based on certain characteristics that are deemed significant for fair treatment in employment settings. These characteristics include age, disability, and religion, all of which are explicitly listed in various federal laws and guidelines.

Age is protected under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), disability is safeguarded by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and religion is covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While some states and local jurisdictions may have laws that offer protection based on marital status, it does not have the same federal recognition as the other categories. Thus, marital status does not provide the same level of legal protection against discrimination in the workplace, making it the answer to the question.