Title VII of the Civil Rights Act does not cover federal employees or independent contractors. However, federal employees are protected against discrimination by other federal anti-discrimination laws.
Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees. It defines an “employer” as a person engaged in an industry affecting commerce with 15 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. Those 20 weeks do not need to be consecutive.
What remedies/damages are available in a Title VII lawsuit? Plaintiffs have a right to jury trials under Title VII, and successful plaintiffs can be awarded lost wages (both past and future), mental/emotional distress (compensatory) damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.
Title VII applies to employers in both the private and public sectors that have 15 or more employees. It also applies to the federal government, employment agencies, and labor organizations. Title VII is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.