Which change did the Supreme Court make regarding firing policies in 2020?

• A. Disability
• B. National origin
• C. Age above 40
• D. Sexual orientation

Answer: (D)

In 2020 the Supreme Court clarified that firing someone for being LGBTQ is illegal under Title VII because it counts as sex discrimination. The ruling says that treating an employee unfavorably because of their sexual orientation (or gender identity) is discrimination “because of sex.” This expands federal workplace protections beyond what was previously understood, tying protection of sexual orientation to the prohibition on sex-based discrimination.

Disability protections come from the Americans with Disabilities Act, age protections come from the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and national origin protections are part of Title VII but were not the 2020 change in question. The decision in 2020 specifically centers on extending Title VII protections to sexual orientation.