Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity employment refers to the approach of the employers 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 in employment
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 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.

Diversity in workforce
With the globalization and the increasing 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 common objectives. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the employer to create an equality-based and discrimination-free working environment and practices.

Equal opportunity means 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. Any employee should be ill-treated or harassed by the employer or other employees.

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.

Equal employment opportunity is necessary to ensure:

To give fair access to the people of all development opportunities
To create a fair organisation, industry and society.
To encourage and give disadvantaged or disabled people a fair chance to grow with the society