Equal Employment Opportunity Flashcards
Protected characteristic
An attribute about an individual that is protected under EEO laws and regulations.
Equal employment opportunity
Employment that is not affected by illegal discrimination.
Status blind
A concept that emphasizes that difference among people should be ignored and everyone should be treated equally.
Disparate treatment
Occurs when members of a group are treated differently from others.
Disparate impact
Occurs when members of a protected category are substantially underrepresented as a result of employment decisions that work to their disadvantages.
Business necessity
A practice necessary for safe and efficient organizational operations.
bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ)
Characteristics providing a legitimate reason why an employer can exclude persons on otherwise illegal bases of consideration.
Burden of proof
What individuals who file suit against employers must prove to establish that illegal discrimination has occurred.
Retaliation
Punitive actions taken by employers against individuals who exercise their legal rights.
Affirmative action
Proactive employment practices to make up for historical discrimination against women and minorities.
Affirmative action program (AAP)
A document reporting on the composition of an employer’s workforce, required for federal contractors.
Pay equity
The idea that pay for jobs requiring comparable levels of knowledge, skill, and ability should be similar, even if actual duties differ significantly.
Glass ceiling
Discriminatory practices that have prevented women and minorities from advancing to executive-level jobs.
Neopotism
Practice of allowing relatives to work for the same employer.
Sexual harrassment
Actions that are sexually directed, are unwanted, and subject the worker to adverse employment conditions or create a hostile work environment.
Quid pro quo
Sexual harassment in which employment outcomes are linked to the individual granting sexual favors.
Hostile environment
Sexual harassment in which an individual’s work performance or psychological well-being is unreasonably affected by intimidating or offensive working conditions.
Disabled person
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.
Essential job functions
Fundamental job duties
Reasonable accommodation
A modification to a job or work environment that gives a qualified individual and equal employment opportunity to perform.
Undue hardship
Significant difficulty or expense imposed on an employer in making an accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
Phased retirement
Approach in which employees gradually reduce their workloads and pay level.
