"The Fair Employment Opportunity Act of 2011" is part of President Obama's American Jobs Act unveiled last week. The Act is intended to make it easier for unemployed Americans to get a new job.

The Act would make it illegal to refuse consideration for employment or refuse to hire an applicant because of that person's current unemployment status. The law includes an anti-retaliation claim disallowing any interference with the exercise of any right under the law and any adverse action against anyone who has opposed any unlawful practice under the law or participated in any proceeding or inquiry under the law. However, if an individual's employment in a similar or related job for a period of time reasonably proximate to the hiring of that individual is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary for successful employment, then an employer can differentiate applicants on that basis.

"Employer," as defined by the bill, would include any person engaged in commerce or any industry or activity affecting commerce with 15 or more employees for each working day in 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. This is equivalent to the applicable Title VII standard. However, the Act also states that "employer" includes "any person who acts, directly or indirectly, in the interest of an employer with respect to employing individuals to work for the employer." This same language provides for individual liability under the Fair Labor Standards Act and thus would likely result in individual liability under the Act, as well.