Native American employment law centers around tribal sovereignty. Tribal governments have the authority to create employment regulations for their citizens, which differs from standards applied to private businesses or government agencies outside tribal lands. However, federal laws and court decisions can sometimes restrict tribal jurisdiction and impose external regulations on tribal employment practices.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has jurisdiction over age discrimination chargers under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and gender-based pay discrimination under the Equal Pay Act unless the application of these statutes would infringe on treaty rights or Tribal sovereignty. For more information, visit Tribal Programs | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov) and Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Tribes and Tribal Employment Rights Offices | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov).
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) partners with Tribal Employment Rights Offices (TEROs) to protect the employment rights of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Visit the national TERO organization for more information and further resources: CTER | Council for Tribal Employment Rights | Home (cter-tero.org).
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs administers the Indian and Native American Employment Rights Program, which advances awareness of employment rights and job opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives who work or seek employment with companies doing business with the federal government.