Equal Employment Opportunity Act

Definition

The Equal Employment Opportunity Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It aims to ensure equal opportunities and treatment for all individuals in the workplace, regardless of their personal characteristics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act was passed in 1972 and amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to strengthen and expand protections against employment discrimination.
2. The Act established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce federal laws prohibiting job discrimination and to investigate charges of discrimination.
3. The Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions.
4. The Act prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, job training, and other terms and conditions of employment.
5. The Act also prohibits retaliation against individuals who file charges of discrimination, participate in investigations, or oppose unlawful employment practices.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Equal Employment Opportunity Act promotes diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
  • The Equal Employment Opportunity Act aims to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It requires employers to provide equal opportunities in all aspects of employment, from hiring and promotion to compensation and training. This helps to ensure that individuals from underrepresented groups have the same access to employment and career advancement as their counterparts, fostering a more diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Describe the role of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in enforcing the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.
  • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. The EEOC investigates charges of discrimination, files lawsuits against employers who violate the law, and works to educate employers and employees about their rights and responsibilities under the Act. The EEOC also provides guidance on compliance with the Act and works to prevent and address employment discrimination through its enforcement and outreach efforts.
• Analyze how the concept of disparate impact relates to the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and its goal of promoting workforce diversity.
  • The concept of disparate impact is closely tied to the Equal Employment Opportunity Act's goal of promoting workforce diversity. Disparate impact occurs when an employer's seemingly neutral policies or practices have a disproportionately adverse effect on a protected group, even if the employer did not intend to discriminate. Under the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, employers must ensure that their policies and practices do not have a disparate impact on protected groups, as this can be considered a form of unintentional discrimination. By addressing disparate impact, the Act helps to create a more level playing field and remove barriers to employment for individuals from underrepresented groups, ultimately contributing to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Related terms

Affirmative Action:

Affirmative action refers to policies and programs designed to promote equal opportunity and address historical discrimination against underrepresented groups in the workplace and education.

Disparate Impact: Disparate impact occurs when an employer's seemingly neutral policies or practices have a disproportionately adverse effect on a protected group, even if the employer did not intend to discriminate.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Title VII is the section of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.