What does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964) protect against?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 specifically addresses and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin in various areas, including hiring, firing, and other employment practices. This landmark legislation was designed to ensure that individuals are not treated unfairly in the workplace on the basis of these protected characteristics.

The protection offered by Title VII plays a crucial role in promoting equal employment opportunities and addressing systemic discrimination. For instance, it gives employees the right to file complaints against employers who may engage in discriminatory practices or create hostile work environments based on the specified categories.

While other options mention forms of discrimination like age, disability, and general hiring practices, these are not covered under Title VII. Age discrimination is addressed by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and disability discrimination falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). General discrimination in hiring practices could potentially relate to violations of Title VII, but it is the specific characteristics listed in option B that Title VII is focused on regulating.