Defined term
Title VII
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin — applicable to employers with 15 or more employees.
Title VII (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.) is the federal foundation of employment-discrimination law. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in hiring, firing, compensation, promotion, and the terms and conditions of employment.
Procedure runs through the EEOC. Charging parties must file a charge within 180 days of the unlawful conduct (or 300 in deferral states); the EEOC investigates; if it finds cause or declines to litigate, it issues a right-to-sue letter and the charging party has 90 days to file in federal court. The Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense protects employers with effective anti-harassment policies and complaint procedures.
Statutes
- 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.