Reference no: EM133564770

Question

Title VII is a provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination in virtually every employment circumstance on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, or national origin. In general, Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees. The purpose of Title VII's protections is to "level the playing field" by forcing employers to consider only objective, job-related criteria in making employment decisions. The above classes of individuals are considered "protected" under Title VII because of the history of unequal treatment which has been identified in each class. Title VII must be considered when reviewing applications or resumes (i.e., by not eliminating candidates on the basis of a "foreign" last name), when interviewing candidates (i.e., by asking only job-related questions), when testing job applicants (i.e., by treating all candidates the same and ensuring that tests are not unfairly weighted against any group of people), and when considering employees for promotions, transfers, or any other employment-related benefit or condition. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 amended Title VII to provide that pregnant women are treated the same as other employees who are disabled. The employer's policies for taking leave, health benefits during leaves, and reinstatement.