Utah 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 Utah 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.

Utah’s ban-the-box law went into effect in 2017. HB 156 restricts public employers from requiring applicants to disclose criminal conviction information prior to conducting a job interview.

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

Yes, some of Utah’s fair hiring laws differ slightly from federal law.

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

Utah does not have a standalone law restricting against sex-based wage discrimination. Therefore, the federal law applies to all employers in the state with 2+ employees.

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

The Utah Antidiscrimination Act restricts against age-based discrimination in hiring among applicants age 40 and over. Similar to federal law, it applies with employers with 15+ employees.

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

Utah state law aligns with the federal ADA regarding discrimination based on disability.

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

The Genetic Testing Privacy Act (GIPA) is a state law prohibiting employers from using genetic information to make employment decisions.

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

Although the Utah Antidiscrimination Act shares some protected characteristics with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it also includes a few more. Protections against discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, and childbirth are in effect.

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

City agencies in Salt Lake City are restricted from inquiring about salary history.

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.