Different laws define the protected classes. Protected classes for the laws are as follows: Title VII – race, color, sex, religion and national origin Age.Antidiscrimination Laws and EEO. This law makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. No person shall discriminate or take any retaliatory action against an employee because the employee in good faith does or threatens to do any of the following: A charge of discrimination is a signed statement asserting that an employer, union or labor organization engaged in employment discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin, sex, religion, color, and race. In most circumstances, you only have 180 days from the last discriminatory act to file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Federal and state law prohibit North Carolina employers from discriminating against employees based on certain characteristics, such as race or religion. It requests EEOC to take remedial action.