What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. Under Title VII, employers cannot discriminate against an employee based on any of these protected categories. This means that they cannot hire or fire based on these categories, nor can they promote, demote, or offer unequal pay. The law was enacted in 1964 to protect workers from prejudice and unequal treatment. Title VII also prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file a valid charge of discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit. Title VII applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, wages, benefits, training, and other conditions of employment. Employers must also ensure that their policies and practices do not have a discriminatory impact. This includes ensuring that their policies do not disproportionately exclude members of a certain race, national origin, or other protected group. Title VII has been amended several times, most notably in 1991, when employers were prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability and age. California has also enacted its own laws that protect individuals from workplace discrimination, adding additional categories such as marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

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What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

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