A charge of discrimination is a signed statement asserting that an employer, union or labor organization engaged in employment discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate employees based on race, color, religion, or sex.The deadline is not extended if only a local law prohibits age discrimination. To promote, support and educate a diverse workforce to create a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. California and federal laws make it illegal for employers to discriminate against job applicants or employees. His bill would become the basis for the most-far reaching act of legislation supporting racial equality since Reconstruction. Introduction. There are federal, Washington State and local laws that protect you from discrimination at work. His bill would become the basis for the most-far reaching act of legislation supporting racial equality since Reconstruction. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Angus King (IME) today praised the bipartisan passage of the Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA). Learn about EEOC laws, which protect you from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation at work.