While similar in protecting against unjust discrimination, Section 1981 differs from Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The employee must first present evidence that he is a member of a protected class, he was qualified for the position he held, he suffered an adverse employment action such as being fired, and that he was replaced with another worker who is not a member of that protected class.
§ 1981 (Section 1981) bears the burden of initially pleading and ultimately proving that racial bias was the “but for” cause of the plaintiff's injury.
To prove discrimination, plaintiffs must provide evidence that they: (a) are a member of a protected class, (b) are qualified for the position at issue, (c) suffered an adverse employment action, and (d) the employer treated similarly situated employees outside of the protected class more favorably (or some other ...
Also, a Title VII lawsuit must generally be filed within 90 days after the EEOC's Right to Sue Notice is received. Claims asserted under Section 1981 though have a significantly longer statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. Indeed, an employee may file a Section 1981 within four years of the violation.
It applies to all private employers and labor organizations, but not federal, state, or local government employers. Section 1981 is enforced by individuals, not a federal agency.
2001) (“Although claims against individual supervisors are not permitted under Title VII, this court has found individual liability under § 1981 when the defendants intentionally cause an infringement of rights protected by Section 1981, regardless of whether the employer may also be held liable."); Al-Khazraji v.