Equal Employment Opportunity

Question 1

Protected characteristic

Answer 1

An attribute about an individual that is protected under EEO laws and regulations.

Question 2

Equal employment opportunity

Answer 2

Employment that is not affected by illegal discrimination.

Question 3

Status blind

Answer 3

A concept that emphasizes that difference among people should be ignored and everyone should be treated equally.

Question 4

Disparate treatment

Answer 4

Occurs when members of a group are treated differently from others.

Question 5

Disparate impact

Answer 5

Occurs when members of a protected category are substantially underrepresented as a result of employment decisions that work to their disadvantages.

Question 6

Business necessity

Answer 6

A practice necessary for safe and efficient organizational operations.

Question 7

bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)

Answer 7

Characteristics providing a legitimate reason why an employer can exclude persons on otherwise illegal bases of consideration.

Question 8

Burden of proof

Answer 8

What individuals who file suit against employers must prove to establish that illegal discrimination has occurred.

Question 9

Retaliation

Answer 9

Punitive actions taken by employers against individuals who exercise their legal rights.

Question 10

Affirmative action

Answer 10

Proactive employment practices to make up for historical discrimination against women and minorities.

Question 11

Affirmative action program (AAP)

Answer 11

A document reporting on the composition of an employer’s workforce, required for federal contractors.

Question 12

Pay equity

Answer 12

The idea that pay for jobs requiring comparable levels of knowledge, skill, and ability should be similar, even if actual duties differ significantly.

Question 13

Glass ceiling

Answer 13

Discriminatory practices that have prevented women and minorities from advancing to executive-level jobs.

Question 14

Neopotism

Answer 14

Practice of allowing relatives to work for the same employer.

Question 15

Sexual harrassment

Answer 15

Actions that are sexually directed, are unwanted, and subject the worker to adverse employment conditions or create a hostile work environment.

Question 16

Quid pro quo

Answer 16

Sexual harassment in which employment outcomes are linked to the individual granting sexual favors.

Question 17

Hostile environment

Answer 17

Sexual harassment in which an individual’s work performance or psychological well-being is unreasonably affected by intimidating or offensive working conditions.

Question 18

Disabled person

Answer 18

Someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits life activities, who has a record of such an impairment, or how is regarded as having such an impairment.

Question 19

Essential job functions

Answer 19

Fundamental job duties

Question 20

Reasonable accommodation

Answer 20

A modification to a job or work environment that gives a qualified individual and equal employment opportunity to perform.

Question 21

Undue hardship

Answer 21

Significant difficulty or expense imposed on an employer in making an accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Question 22

Phased retirement

Answer 22

Approach in which employees gradually reduce their workloads and pay level.