There are other laws besides Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts that protect employees from being discriminated against by their employers. Many states have their own anti-discrimination laws similar to Title VII. Generally, these statutes cover most small employers and provide the same type of protections against discrimination as Title VII. In some cases, state anti-discrimination statutes provided better protection than Title VII.
Example:
Protection from employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation or martial status is now law in many states. State anti-discrimination laws may also provide victims of discrimination with broader remedies than those available under Title VII.
Accordingly, employers and employees should examine not just Title VII but also their state statutes, which may offer additional protection and/or remedies, to determine their legal rights and obligations.