Affirmative Action in the Workplace

Affirmative action in the workplace refers to programs that are instituted to address issues related to a history of discrimination. Employment discrimination law mandates that an affirmative action workplace be required or practiced in order to do business. These programs attempt to address the many years of discrimination by giving preference to groups of minorities with decisions related to hiring, training and promotions within a company. Although laws were passed that outlawed discrimination associated with race, religion, age and gender these alone were not sufficient to compensate for the many years of these exclusionary practices of national origin discrimination. Affirmative action programs, although controversial, work to provide access to areas of employment that had been previously denied to women and minorities.

Employment Discrimination Law

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  
• Equal Pay Act of 1963
  
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
  
• Title I and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
  
• Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  
• Civil Rights Act of 1991

Affirmative Action Workplace

Companies may be ordered by the court to establish an affirmative action program as a remedy to the discriminatory practices that exist in their operations. More commonly however, companies voluntarily introduce such programs to remedy the imbalance in their workforce or to comply with state and federal laws established to provide more access and opportunity. When establishing voluntary programs in the workplace, an employer needs to be cautious that the creation of a program to address previously denied opportunities does not disregard the rights of existing employees.

Companies and organizations that do business with the Federal government and have large contracts with the government must abide by and promise to follow the laws regarding discrimination and equal opportunity. They are also required to file annual reports detailing the racial and gender makeup of their labor force. They must also submit plans to alleviate any disparities that may exist between the numbers of women and minorities in their workplace versus the numbers found in the general population. Affirmative action programs, while being a contentious issue, are a way for governments to provide equitable treatment to those people who were for many years shutout of numerous areas of society.

Has Affirmative Action In The Workplace becmone an issue in your employment opportunities? If so, contact one of our Employment Lawyers in your area today!