What does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 specifically prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of several characteristics, namely race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This means that employers cannot make hiring, promotion, job assignments, or termination decisions based on any of these protected categories. The goal of Title VII is to ensure that individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace regardless of their inherent characteristics or belief systems.

This provision is foundational in civil rights legislation and plays a critical role in promoting diversity and equality in employment settings. Understanding this framework is crucial for recognizing how employment discrimination laws seek to protect individuals from unfair treatment in their professional lives. The other options do not encompass the full range of protections provided by Title VII; they pertain to different areas of discrimination that are addressed by other laws or regulations.