Who is protected under title VII?

Asked by: Ms. Cecelia Schiller MD  |  Last update: July 4, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (26 votes)

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended, protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

What are the protected groups under Title VII?

Editor's notes appear in italics and include cross-references to the codified version of Title VII. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

Who is not covered by Title VII?

Simply put, Title VII does not apply to every employer. In fact, as a general rule, it typically only covers private and public sector employers with 15 or more employees.

Does Title VII apply to all employees?

Under current legislation, Title VII only applies to employers who have at least 15 employees. However, do not let this stop you from pursuing a discrimination lawsuit if you work for an employer with less than 15 employees.

Who can file a claim under Title VII?

A private sector or state or local government applicant or employee who believes that his or her Title VII or ADA employment rights have been violated and wants to make a claim against an employer must file a “charge of discrimination” with the EEOC.

Your HR Guide to: Protected classes under Title VII

24 related questions found

Who does the Title VII protect?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended, protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

Are individuals liable under Title VII?

Under federal law (Title VII) only employers can be liable for damages for sexual harassment, but under California law (FEHA), both the employer and the individual harasser can be liable for damages.

Who is exempt from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act does not cover federal employees or independent contractors. However, federal employees are protected against discrimination by other federal anti-discrimination laws.

What are the 14 protected categories?

The protected classes include: age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or any other bases under the law.

Which of the following employers are subject to Title VII?

Title VII applies to employers in both the private and public sectors that have 15 or more employees. It also applies to the federal government, employment agencies, and labor organizations. Title VII is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

What are the three basic exceptions to Title VII?

The three basic exceptions to Title VII are bona fide occupational qualifications, seniority systems, and work-related requirements. Educational preferences are not one of the exceptions.

What are the two types of workplace harassment?

The two most common forms are described as quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile work environment sexual harassment:
  • Quid pro quo harassment. ...
  • Hostile work environment harassment.

Which of the following is an example of discrimination under title VII?

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination under Title VII. Sexual harassment is an unwanted request for sex, unwelcome physical contact, or unwanted sexual comments.

What are the 9 protected groups?

Under the Equality Act 2010, there are 9 protected characteristics which are; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

What is Title VII for dummies?

The seventh amendment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, known as Title VII, prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Hiring decisions based on stereotypes are also in violation of the law.

Are furries a protected class?

As with schools, there is no legal protection requiring employers to accommodate furries or furry behaviour in the workplace, either under the Sex Discrimination Act or the Fair Work Act .

What are the protected classes under title VII?

Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

What are the 7 protected groups?

Protected Classes
  • Race.
  • Color.
  • Religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices)
  • Sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/ or related medical conditions)
  • Gender identity, gender expression.
  • Sexual orientation.
  • Marital status.

Which of the following is not a protected class under title VII?

The class not protected under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act is Age. Title VII covers race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, but Age was covered later under a different act, hence the correct option is b) Age.

Who does title VII apply to?

Does Title VII apply to all employers? Title VII applies to private-sector employers with 15 or more employees, to state and local government employers with 15 or more employees, and to the federal government as an employer.

Who is exempt from Civil Rights Act?

Churches, synagogues, private clubs, and specific private organizations are exempt due to their adherence to membership requirements.

Is talking about religion at work illegal?

Is it illegal to talk about religion at work? It depends. Generally, it's okay to declare your religious affiliation. Talking about it may even help you and your boss come to a reasonable accommodation, like time off for religious observances.

Can you sue your boss personally for wrongful termination?

A manager may be sued in his or her individual capacity (rather than as an agent of the company) for several reasons. A disgruntled employee or former employee may be angry at the person he perceives made the decision to discipline, terminate, or take another employment action against him.

Are non US citizens protected by Title VII?

Who Does Title VII protect from national origin discrimination? Title VII protects every employee or applicant against discrimination based on his or her national origin, including Americans. Title VII also prohibits employment discrimination because an individual is not American.

Can you be sued for something you did at work?

The short answer is yes. In fact, there are several reasons an employer can sue an employee. From overall negligence to misuse of company resources, business owners have some options for recourse.