Who is protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 offers protection against employment discrimination based on specific characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. This legislation is designed to ensure that individuals are not treated unfairly in the workplace for these immutable traits, thereby promoting equal opportunity in employment.

The focus of Title VII is on equity and the safeguarding of civil rights within the context of employment. It establishes that discrimination based on the aforementioned characteristics is unlawful, providing individuals a framework through which they can seek justice if they feel they have experienced unfair treatment. Other forms of discrimination—such as based on political beliefs, job performance, or socioeconomic status—are not covered under Title VII and therefore do not have the same legal protections afforded to them.