Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas Have Fair Hiring Laws That Differ from Federal Fair Hiring Laws?

Arkansas generally follows federal laws, although there are a few state-specific laws in effect that apply to the hiring process.

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

Under Arkansas Code 11.4.601, employers are not allowed to discriminate against an employee regarding wages solely on the basis of sex. This regulation matches the Federal Equal Pay Act.

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

Arkansas Code 21.3.203 offers protections for workers ages 40 and older from discriminatory employment decisions based on age.

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

Arkansas follows the ADA.

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

The Arkansas Genetic Information in the Workplace Act prohibits employers from using any genetic information to discriminate against individuals in the hiring process. It defines such information as any data derived from the results of genetic testing.

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

The Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993 shares many similarities with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, but they are not completely equivalent. Protected classes include genetic information and military service, which are not included in the federal law.

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

No, there are no different fair hiring laws in cities or municipalities in Arkansas.

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.