Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for an employer to intentionally refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate against any person with respect to compensation, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of such person’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Sex discrimination includes LGBTQ discrimination. In addition, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act describes discrimination based on pregnancy as included within Title VII’s statutory description of discrimination based on sex.
Title VII also provides recourse for employees who have encountered harassment at work or a hostile work environment, as well as protections for employees who make complaints about such work environments.
