Which of the following is NOT an element of establishing a prima facie case of discrimination under Title VII?

Which of the following is NOT an element of establishing a prima facie case of discrimination under Title VII?

• A. Not qualified for the position
• B. Member of a protected class
• C. Suffered an adverse employment action
• D. Non-protected person received favorable treatment

Answer: (A)

The key idea is what must be shown to establish a prima facie discrimination claim under Title VII. You need to demonstrate that you belong to a protected class, were qualified for the position or promotion, and suffered an adverse employment action, plus there are circumstances that give rise to an inference of discrimination (often shown by a similarly situated non-protected employee receiving more favorable treatment). Not being qualified is not an element you must prove; in fact, you must be qualified for the job to even raise a discrimination claim. If you were not qualified, you wouldn’t meet the required element and the case wouldn’t meet the prima facie standard. The other elements—protected class membership, an adverse action, and evidence of discriminatory treatment via a comparator or similar inference—fit the framework.

The key idea is what must be shown to establish a prima facie discrimination claim under Title VII. You need to demonstrate that you belong to a protected class, were qualified for the position or promotion, and suffered an adverse employment action, plus there are circumstances that give rise to an inference of discrimination (often shown by a similarly situated non-protected employee receiving more favorable treatment). Not being qualified is not an element you must prove; in fact, you must be qualified for the job to even raise a discrimination claim. If you were not qualified, you wouldn’t meet the required element and the case wouldn’t meet the prima facie standard. The other elements—protected class membership, an adverse action, and evidence of discriminatory treatment via a comparator or similar inference—fit the framework.