New Jersey Civil Rights Lawyers

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Enacted on July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Under the Civil Rights Act, voter registration requirements were relaxed, and racial segregation of schools, public facilities, and the workplace was ended. The effects of this act have far-reaching implications to this day. A skilled New Jersey employment attorney can help you understand how this legislature may apply to you.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – Equal Opportunity Employment

Under Title VII, an employer is forbidden from discriminating against an employee on the basis of sex, national origin, disability, age, or race when hiring, promoting, or firing. The bill also created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to help with implementation of the law.

Specifically, the bill provides protection against:

  • Discrimination in compensation – Race, sex, religion, color, or national origin cannot form the basis for differences in pay, benefits, assignments, or evaluations.
  • Discrimination in recruiting, hiring, and advancement – The requirements of a job must be uniformly applied and cannot exclude any racial group or color.
  • Harassment – Offensive verbal and physical conduct is prohibited.
  • Hostile work environments – Employers must take steps to prevent and correct harassment and avoid escalation.
  • Retaliation – Employees are protected from retaliation should they file charges against their employers.

It generally applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments. Title VII also applies to private and public colleges and universities, employment agencies, and labor organizations.

If your employer has violated Title VII, you can bring a charge to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Eventually, you may be able to file a lawsuit in federal court.

Contact our New Jersey Title VII lawyers

Understanding your rights under the Civil Rights Act may seem daunting, but the experienced attorneys at NJ employment law firm Aiello, Harris, Marth, Tunnero & Schiffman, P.C. are available to help. Contact us today online or at (908) 561-5577.