What significant legal change did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bring about?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that fundamentally changed the landscape of civil rights in the United States. The correct answer highlights how this Act made discrimination by employers based on race, religion, and sex illegal. Title VII of the Act specifically prohibits employment discrimination against individuals based on these characteristics, promoting equality and preventing unfair treatment in the workplace.

This legislation was instrumental in setting a legal foundation for subsequent civil rights protections and initiatives. It empowered individuals to seek redress against discriminatory practices and established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to oversee compliance and address complaints. By addressing these forms of discrimination, the Civil Rights Act contributed significantly to advancing social justice in American society, ensuring that individuals could secure employment opportunities without facing bias related to their identity.

Other choices, while relevant to workplace issues, do not directly pertain to the primary focus of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For instance, wage requirements and equal pay are related to different laws addressing economic equity, while workplace safety guidelines pertain to occupational health regulations rather than civil rights.