Arizona Fair Hiring Laws

Various laws are in effect that impact employment, including some that dictate the regulations around recruiting and hiring new employees. Review our detailed guide to fair hiring laws in Arizona and how they differ from federal regulations.

What Are Fair Hiring Laws?

Fair hiring laws are regulations administered federally by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Labor (DOL). They apply across all states in the U.S., although some states have stricter laws in place. More than 180 laws cover workplace activities, protecting more than 165 million workers. Some of these related to the process of recruiting and hiring new employees.

What Are “Ban-the-Box” Laws?

Ban-the-box laws limit when an employer can ask about a candidate’s criminal history during the hiring process. The term refers to eliminating the box that must be checked on a traditional application when the individual has such a record.

Does Arizona Have Fair Hiring Laws That Differ from Federal Fair Hiring Laws?

Arizona has a few fair hiring laws in place that offer greater protections to individuals applying for jobs and going through the hiring process. An executive order issued in 2017 created a ban-the-box law that prohibits employers from asking about a criminal record or seeking out that information via other sources. Employers also may not disqualify an applicant from a position based solely on a criminal record. Some exceptions apply.

Do Arizona Hiring Laws Match or Differ from the Federal Equal Pay Act (EPA)?

The Arizona Equal Pay Act is almost the same as the federal EPA. It does allow an employer to base pay differences on skill or work hours, length of service or seniority, or lifting restrictions, as long as sex is not a determining factor of pay.

Do Arizona Hiring Laws Match or Differ from the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)?

Arizona follows the ADEA regarding age discrimination in the hiring process.

Do Arizona Hiring Laws Match or Differ from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Arizona follows the ADA regarding discrimination based on disability status during the hiring process.

Do Arizona Hiring Laws Match or Differ from the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)?

H.B. 2069 clarifies that genetic testing and any information gleaned from such testing is confidential. This information may not be used to make hiring decisions.

Do Arizona Hiring Laws Match or Differ from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

The Arizona Civil Rights Act (ACRA) is similar to the federal law. However, it includes additional protected classes, including maternity and pregnancy, and prohibits retaliation by an employer.

Are There Different Fair Hiring Laws in Cities or Municipalities Across Arizona?

No, there are no differing fair hiring laws in cities or municipalities in Arizona.

With the right tools, ensuring fairness when recruiting and hiring doesn’t have to cause problems. Learn more about the applicant tracking capabilities built into WorkforceHub, like automation of data tracking and reporting for valuable insights. We can help your business maintain compliance with fair hiring regulations.