Affirmative Action

Affirmative action, also known as positive action, is a philosophy that allows for employers to take race, ethnicity, or gender into consideration for hiring or education in a positive way. The philosophy is meant to promote equal opportunity or increase the level of ethnic diversity.

The philosophy and related programs came into being shortly after the Civil Rights movement in an effort to increase diversity in the workplace and in education. In addition, it is meant to provide redress for previous or past perceived disadvantages that were due to overt, institutional, or involuntary discrimination.

Applying an affirmative action goal to hiring or promotion is easiest when there is a test that must be passed. If there is a test, a group can have points added to his or her score based on gender, race, or ethnicity. This is a standard, objective way of evaluating individuals and prevents someone that received a 2 on the test from being promoted based on background alone.

While the program is loved by many, it does have its critics. One of the biggest arguments against the program is that individuals should be hired or promoted based on merit alone, meaning that gender, race, or ethnicity are not considered at all. Another argument is that it promotes reverse discrimination in that individuals who enjoyed a majority position or position of strength in the past are passed over for potentially less qualified individuals based on race, gender, or ethnicity.

Contact a Houston Employment Attorney

If you have been a victim of discrimination, contact the Houston employment attorneys of the Ross Law Group at 1-713-482-6910.