In a ruling issued on April 4, 2017, the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit concluded that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The decision is ground breaking in that it is the first issued by a U.S. Court of Appeals that concludes Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination includes sexual orientation. Title VII lists five “protected classes” and prohibits discrimination in employment against members of those protected classes if the employer has at least 15 employees. The protected classes are: race, color, sex, national origin and religion. In addition to prohibiting discrimination, Title VII prohibits harassment against those protected classes and is the foundation for sexual harassment and racial harassment employment claims in the United States. The law also prohibits retaliation against employees who engage in protected activities related to reporting unlawful discrimination or harassment. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is charged with investigating and enforcing Title VII’s prohibits against employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
If you feel that you have been subjected to discrimination in your employment including sex, race or age discrimination or feel you have been subjected to unlawful retaliation or harassment, and need an employment attorney, you can contact our office in the Charlotte area (704-706-9292), in the Greensboro area at (336.235.4004) or in the Knoxville area (865.297.4344).
More information, including a link to the case can be found at:
http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/sexual-orientation-discrimination-18817/