Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the primary federal law prohibiting employment discrimination.
What it covers: Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. After Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), sex discrimination includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
Who it applies to: Employers with 15 or more employees.
What counts as discrimination: Disparate treatment, disparate impact, hostile work environment, and retaliation.
How to file: You must first file a Charge of Discrimination with the EEOC within 180 days (300 days if your state has a fair employment agency).