Therefore, assuming they work — or are applying to work — for a covered employer as outlined above, Title VII provides discrimination protection for all employees, former employees, and those applying to be employees.
Title VII is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Most employees and job applicants are protected by Title VII, but independent contractors are not.
In fact, the title defines an employee as simply "an individual employed by an employer." Therefore, assuming they work — or are applying to work — for a covered employer as outlined above, Title VII provides discrimination protection for all employees, former employees, and those applying to be employees.
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.
While Congress's principal motivation in enacting § 1981 was to secure equal rights for Black citizens post-slavery, the Supreme Court held in McDonald v. Santa Fe Trail Transportation Company, a case involving a private employer, that the provision permits claims brought by White persons as well.
Section 1981, which is codified at 42 U.S.C. 1981, protects the equal right of all persons to make and enforce contracts without respect to race.
Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 created the Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent Living programs.
While similar in protecting against unjust discrimination, Section 1981 differs from Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
A federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, and ethnicity when making and enforcing contracts. Section 1981 specifically grants all individuals within the US jurisdiction the same rights and benefits as "enjoyed by white citizens" regarding contractual relationships (42 U.S.C. § 1981(a)).
Also, Title VII applies only to employers with 15 or more employees, whereas Section 1981 imposes no such limitation. Employees cannot be sued under Title VII, but they can be sued under Section 1981.