Title VII
What does "Title VII" mean in law?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the foundational federal statute prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It applies to employers with fifteen or more employees and covers all aspects of employment including hiring, firing, compensation, and terms and conditions of employment. Title VII established the EEOC as its enforcement mechanism and requires plaintiffs to exhaust administrative remedies by filing a charge with the EEOC before bringing suit. The statute authorizes both equitable relief and, as interpreted in Albemarle Paper Co. v. Moody, back pay awards to make victims of discrimination whole.
Definition
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the foundational federal statute prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It applies to employers with fifteen or more employees and covers all aspects of employment including hiring, firing, compensation, and terms and conditions of employment. Title VII established the EEOC as its enforcement mechanism and requires plaintiffs to exhaust administrative remedies by filing a charge with the EEOC before bringing suit. The statute authorizes both equitable relief and, as interpreted in Albemarle Paper Co. v. Moody, back pay awards to make victims of discrimination whole.
Example
A job applicant who is denied a position at a restaurant chain because of her race may file a charge with the EEOC and subsequently bring a Title VII lawsuit seeking reinstatement and back pay.