What does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 primarily address?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 primarily addresses job discrimination based on race, gender, color, national origin, and religion. This landmark piece of legislation was a significant step in the fight against workplace discrimination in the United States. It makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or applicants on these bases, ensuring that hiring, promotion, and other employment-related decisions are made without prejudice based on those characteristics.

The focus of Title VII is on creating equal employment opportunities and protecting individuals from biased treatment in the workplace. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees and includes various provisions for filing complaints and pursuing justice against discriminatory practices.

The other options involve important workplace issues but do not fall under the specific scope of Title VII. Equal pay for equal work relates to the Equal Pay Act, health benefits pertain to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) or similar legislation, and regulations regarding employee work hours and wages are generally handled under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Thus, the choice highlighting job discrimination aligns directly with the key purpose of Title VII, making it the correct response.