The historical and legislative background of the 1978 law which will enable pregnant workers equal rights to disability and health benefits is reviewed. Some of the social and economic factors relating to women in the work force are described. (EB)

Section 1985(3) is shown to be an alternative to Title VII. Inadequacies of and alternatives to Title VII are noted and questions are raised concerning section 1985(3)'s application to private sex-based discrimination, the single entity rule, and whether sex discrimination is sufficiently class-based to activate section 1985(3). (AF)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination by any recipient of federal assistance on the basis of a person's handicap. Discussion centers on claiming protection under Section 504, a court case illustrating affirmative duty, and private right of action and standards for scrutinizing unequal treatment. (AF)

This unit, one in a series of packets of teacher and student materials for cooperative occupational education (COE) designed for special needs students, presents students with a brief introduction to federal laws that protect workers' rights. Emphasis is placed on the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Civil Rights…