How the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Factors into Employment Practices

How the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Factors into Employment Practices How the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Factors into Employment Practices The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352) outlawed the unequal application of voter registration requirements and discrimination in public facilities, in government, and in employment. Specifically, for employers, in the Civil Rights Act, Title 7  guaranteed equal opportunity in employment. Additional titles within the Civil Rights Act ensured the right to vote, provided relief against discrimination, authorized the Attorney General to institute suits to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and public education, and more. The Civil Rights Act in Promoting Equal Employment Opportunity   The Civil Rights Act also established the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) to promote equal opportunity in employment through administrative and judicial enforcement of the federal civil rights laws and through education and technical assistance. Subsequent legislation expanded the role of the EEOC. Today, according to the U. S. Government Manual of 1998-99, the EEOC enforces laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age in hiring, promoting, firing, setting wages, testing, training, apprenticeship, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Race, color, sex, creed, and age are now protected classes. As long as an employer makes no employment decisions namely, whether to interview, hire, pay, promote, provide opportunity, discipline, or terminate an employees employment based on any of these protected classifications, the employer is living the intent of this law.   Preventing Discrimination With the Civil Rights Act It is, however, easy for unconscious discrimination to affect any of these decisions. The Human Resources department plays a significant role in guarding and overseeing to make sure employment decisions do not violate the spirit of this law.   When hiring, for example, HR can share an applicants resume and cover letter. The job application, which may reveal a number of these protected factors, should remain confidential to HR. Details of the Civil Rights Act Through Laws and Guidance Laws and guidance in detail from the EEOC are available from the US Department of Labor: Laws and Guidance. The specific text of a relevant portion of the act for your review: DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN SEC. 703. (a) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer (1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individuals race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or (2) to limit, segregate, or classify his employees in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individuals race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. (b) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employment agency to fail or refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise to discriminate against, any individual because of his race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, or to classify or refer for employment any individual on the basis of his race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Equal employment opportunity  (EEO) laws make it illegal for employers to discriminate against an employee or potential employee in certain workplaces. The  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is the federal agency that has the responsibility to promote equal opportunity  in employment through administrative and judicial enforcement of the federal civil rights laws and through education and technical assistance. The EEOC handles complaints about workplace discrimination. While state laws may differ, the federal laws prohibit discrimination in employment for: AgeDisabilityNational originPregnancyRaceReligionSex or genderSexual harassment The EEOC has also made decisions about such areas, for example, as: Equal payRetaliation  for making a sexual harassment claim Now that you have had the opportunity to understand the components of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, you can use and apply this information in your workplace. Disclaimer:  Please note that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. The site is read by a world-wide audience and employment laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance.