Which act prohibits discrimination that creates a hostile work environment?

The correct answer focuses on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which specifically addresses discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act plays a crucial role in establishing a legal framework that prohibits any actions or behaviors that create a hostile work environment. A hostile work environment occurs when unwelcome conduct related to the protected categories creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive atmosphere for employees.

Title VII enables individuals who experience such environments to seek recourse against their employers, ensuring protections against discrimination that significantly affect their ability to work. This act has laid the groundwork for many significant court cases and precedents that have reinforced the importance of maintaining a non-discriminatory workplace.

In contrast, while other acts like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Equal Pay Act address important aspects of workplace rights and protections, they do not specifically focus on the issue of hostile work environments created by discriminatory practices. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 encompasses broader principles of non-discrimination but is primarily associated with the specific prohibitions found in Title VII regarding workplace conduct.