What is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 specifically prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This means that any form of discrimination—including hiring, firing, promoting, or compensating employees—on the grounds of religion is not permitted under this federal law. The intent of Title VII is to ensure that individuals are treated fairly in the workplace and that decisions regarding employment are based on relevant qualifications rather than personal characteristics such as religious beliefs.

The other options relate to employment practices that generally do not involve discriminatory criteria as defined by Title VII. For example, making employment decisions based on performance, skills, or tenure involves evaluating individuals on their merits rather than their personal characteristics, which is in alignment with the principles set forth by Title VII.