Chapter 12: Workplace Privacy
Federal Agencies Protecting Employee Privacy
Five federal agencies are central: the DOL (administers FLSA, OSHA, ERISA), the EEOC (Title VII, ADEA, ADA), the FTC and CFPB (unfair/deceptive practices and FCRA), and the NLRB (administers the NLRA, runs union elections).
How this supports CIPP/US study
Use this lesson to identify the disclosure, workplace or cross-border rule that changes the result in a fact pattern. Continue with the CIPP/US study plan.
| Agency | Key laws / role |
|---|---|
| DOL | FLSA, OSHA, ERISA; advances welfare of workers and work-related benefits |
| EEOC | Title VII, ADEA, ADA (Titles I and V); prevents workplace discrimination |
| FTC and CFPB | Unfair/deceptive practices; FCRA (limits employer use of credit, driving, criminal, and other consumer reports) |
| NLRB | Administers the NLRA; runs union elections; remedies unfair labor practices |
State DOLs too
Each state also has a labor agency (often a Department of Labor) overseeing state minimum-wage laws, minor-labor limits, unemployment insurance, and sometimes safety inspections.
Key terms - quick answers
What is “DOL”?
U.S. Department of Labor; administers federal labor laws including the FLSA, OSHA, and ERISA.
What is “EEOC”?
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; works to prevent workplace discrimination, overseeing Title VII, the ADEA, and Titles I and V of the ADA.
What is “FTC”?
Federal Trade Commission; regulates unfair and deceptive practices and enforces laws including the FCRA.
What is “CFPB”?
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; also regulates unfair and deceptive practices and enforces laws including the FCRA.
Sources and study method
This independent lesson uses active recall, spaced retrieval and scenario practice. Read the full study method.