What Is 42 U.S.C. Section 1981?

42 U.S.C. Section 1981 was the first section of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. There have been several amendments to this section of the act but still holds the same rights for individuals which includes that “All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same civil rights in every State and Territory to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes, licenses, and exactions of every kind, and to no other.” If you feel that your civil rights have been violated at work speak to a wrongful termination lawyer to file a lawsuit.

The civil rights protected in the Act may sound a bit confusing, however; basically, it means that all persons living in US have the same rights across the nation.

After a lawsuit, Patterson v. McLean Credit Union, the Civil Rights of Act of 1991 was added in Section 1981(b), which states, “for purposes of this section, the term "make and enforce contracts" includes the making, performance, modification, and termination of contacts, and the enjoyment of all benefits, privileges, terms, and condition of the contractual relationship.”

This section allows employees to sue if they were wrongfully terminated due to discrimination.  If you feel you have been a victim of discrimination or wrongful termination lawyer can help you file a claim against your employer.

The Civil Rights Act includes the laws for any individual to be treated the same no matter their sex, race, religion, or age. All persons have the right to enjoy all the liberties of being a citizen of the United States.

If you have been discriminated against for any reason in the workplace, you should consult an employee rights attorney. You may be able to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for damages. To learn the civil rights you have when it comes to employment, a lawyer will be able to explain your options and represent you in court.