What Laws Protect Domestic Workers? Not As Many As You Think

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Gossip columnists can't stop talking about the heartily denied alleged affair between Ben Affleck and the family's nanny—that is, a person that he employed.

Whether or not there ever was a relationship between Affleck and the nanny is questionable, but no one has made any claim that if the affair existed, it was unwelcome, so no matter what it wouldn't be considered sexual harassment.

But unfortunately for domestic workers like nannies or elder care workers who do feel harassed, it's surprising to learn that  federal anti-discrimination laws only cover employers who have 15 or more employees so for the most part domestic workers' rights are not protected under federal law.

That said, some state anti-discrimination laws like New Jersey's cover all employers, regardless of how many employees there are.

Only four states-Massachusetts, New York, Hawaii, and California have laws that specifically cover domestic workers, but California's law is only about wages, not harassment. If you're feeling harassed, you should visit your state's EEOC office or website to see what can be done to flip the script.