What Is The Civil Rights Act And How Does It Protect Me As An Employee?
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in various aspects of public life, such as employment. The law protects employees from discriminatory or retaliatory conduct by employers and entitles employees subjected to such conduct to seek financial or other relief in a complaint or lawsuit.
Understanding Title VII
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 establishes legal protections for employees of certain employers in the U.S. Workers who work for employers covered by Title VII enjoy protections against adverse employment actions by their employer based on the worker’s protected characteristic(s).
How the Civil Rights Act Protects Employees
Under the Civil Rights Act, an employer cannot discriminate or retaliate against a worker based on protected characteristics such as:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Religious beliefs
- Sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy)
Furthermore, the law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for:
- Formally or informally complaining about workplace discrimination, whether such discrimination occurs against them or another co-worker
- Filing a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a similar state agency
- Participating as a witness in an internal employment discrimination investigation, formal administrative investigation by the EEOC or a state agency, or an employment discrimination lawsuit
Employers may not undertake adverse employment actions for a discriminatory or retaliatory purpose, such as:
- Refusing to hire
- Refusing to promote
- Denying raises or other benefits
- Denying training or career advancement opportunities
- Assigning less desirable roles or tasks
- Reducing compensation
- Forcing resignations or retirement
- Terminating or laying off workers
Contact an Employment Attorney Today
Do you have questions about your rights and protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act? If so, talk to an employment law attorney for answers. Contact Just Right Law today for a confidential consultation with our team to learn more about your options for pursuing relief.