10.5 Civil Rights-Title VII-Hostile Work Environment-Harassment Because of Protected Characteristics-Elements is a type of civil rights violation that occurs when an employee is subjected to unwelcome and offensive conduct because of their protected characteristics, such as their race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. These elements are composed of: (1) the presence of conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create an objectively hostile work environment; (2) a connection between the conduct and the protected characteristic; (3) the harasser's intent to discriminate; and (4) the victim's perception of the environment as hostile. This type of violation is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.