Page 241 - DMGT406_HUMAN_RESOURCE_MANAGEMENT

Human Resource Management

Notes 13.9.4 Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity employment refers to the employers approach to ensure the practice of being
fair and impartial in the employment process. The term "Equal Opportunity Employment" was
first given by President Lyndon B. Johnson when he signed Executive Order 11246 which was
created to prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against employees on the basis of
race, sex, creed, religion, color, or national origin. The scope of the order also covered the
discrimination on the basis of the minority status.
Discrimination refers to the any kind of prejudice, biasness or favoritism on the basis of disability,
race, age, sex, sexuality, pregnancy, Marital status in employment. No person should be
treated less favourably or under privileged than any other on the basis of the specified issues
above. Many countries (like SA) have already implemented Equal Opportunity Act, making it
against the law to treat anybody unfairly.

Due to the globalization and the growing size of the organisations, the diversity in the workforce
is increasing i.e. people from diverse backgrounds, educational background, age groups, race,
gender, abilities, etc., come together to work for one organisation and pursue common objectives.
So, to be competitive and successful, it is the responsibility of the employer to create an equality-
based and discrimination-free working environment and practices.
Equal opportunity requires treating people equally and fairly irrespective of their race, religion,
sex, age, disability, etc. Giving women an equal treatment and access to opportunities at the
workplace. No employee should be ill-treated or harassed by the employer or other employees
on the basis of any discrimination.
Equal Employment Opportunity principles help to realize and respect the actual worth of the
individual on the basis of his knowledge, skills, abilities and merit. And the policy should cover
all the employees of an organisation whether permanent or temporary, contractual, etc. The
basic purpose of the equal employment opportunity is to ensure:
1. To give fair access to the people of all development opportunities.

2. To create a fair organisation, industry and society.
3. To encourage and give disadvantaged or disabled people a fair chance to grow with the
society.

Thus, equal employment opportunity should provide equal access to all available jobs, training,
and promotional opportunities, similar benefits and services to everyone apply all policies and
practices consistently to applicants and staff. There should not be differentiation among applicants
or employees on the basis of any aforesaid discriminatory factors.

Notes Reservation in Indian law is a form of affirmative action whereby a percentage of
seats are reserved in the public sector units, union and state civil services, union and state
government departments and in all public and private educational institutions, except in
the religious/linguistic minority educational institutions, for the socially and educationally
backward classes of citizens or the Scheduled Castes and Tribes who were inadequately
represented in these services and institutions.
The advantage of affirmative action programme is to employ and retain a diverse
workforce of the best-qualified individuals. As affirmative action is a set of specific, results-
oriented programs and activities designed to correct underutilization of minorities and

Contd...

234 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY