10/17/2003
Overview: Title VII prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin in hiring, employment (all terms, conditions and benefits), and termination.
Application: Title VII applies to businesses with 15 or more employees.
Examples of Discrimination
Below are some examples of discrimination covered under Title VII:
- Harassing a person because of their friends', relatives', or associates' race, skin, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, or disability. (See also Sexual Harassment section.)
- Treating people in similar jobs differently.
- Making assumptions about the abilities of persons based on stereotypes, physical characteristics, or age.
- Retaliating against a person because a complaint was filed.
Remedies Available: If a complainant is successful in a Title VII cause of action, remedies that may be available include reinstatement, back pay, damages for future loss of earnings, emotional pain and suffering, mental anguish, and attorneys' fees.
Notice: The notice, Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law should be posted where employees can readily see it. A copy of this notice is available in the NFIB Legal Foundation's new Federal Employee Handbook for Independent Business.
Additional Information: To locate your Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) field office call 800.669.4000 or visit their Web site at http://www.eeoc.gov.
