---
title: "What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?"
description: "The Civil Rights Act was the nation’s first comprehensive anti-discrimination federal law making it illegal to discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Title..."
url: https://www.dashrconsulting.com/what-is-the-civil-rights-act-of-1964/
date: 2012-04-15
modified: 2012-08-05
author: "Dr. Di Ann Sanchez"
image: https://www.dashrconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/LBJ-Signing-Civil-Rights-Act-of-1964.jpg
categories: ["HR Compliance", "Human Resources"]
tags: ["Civil Rights", "HR Compliance"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

The Civil Rights Act was the nation’s first comprehensive anti-discrimination federal law making it illegal to discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. [Title VII of the Civil Rights Act](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964) was passed to bring about equality in hiring, transfers, promotions, compensation, access to training, and other employment-related decisions.

This federal law binds most employers and the Civil Rights Act of 1991 allowed for jury trials where plaintiffs could seek compensatory punitive damages.

### Title VII of the Civil Rights Act includes:

- Prohibits sexual harassment.
- Prohibits segregation based on above protected classes.
- Prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions.
- Prohibits discrimination in compensation practices.

References; Shrm.org