Glossary Of Affirmative Action Terms

Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action


Policies and practices designed to increase access and opportunity for groups that have historically experienced discrimination in employment or education



Adverse Impact


A situation where a neutral policy or practice disproportionately affects members of a protected group, even if unintentional



Applicant Pool


The group of individuals who apply for a job, promotion, or educational opportunity



Availability Analysis


An assessment comparing the representation of protected groups in a workforce to their availability in the relevant labor market



Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ)


A legally recognized job requirement that allows limited consideration of protected characteristics when they are essential to the job



Corrective Action


Steps taken to address identified disparities or underrepresentation in employment or education



Disparate Treatment


Intentional discrimination against individuals based on protected characteristics



Disparate Impact


Practices that appear neutral but result in unequal outcomes for protected groups



Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)


The principle that employment decisions should be made without discrimination based on protected characteristics



Good Faith Efforts


Demonstrated, sincere actions taken to comply with affirmative action requirements, such as outreach and recruitment initiatives



Goals and Timetables


Flexible benchmarks used to measure progress toward a more representative workforce; not quotas



Job Group


A grouping of positions with similar duties, responsibilities, and compensation for analysis purposes



Labor Market


The geographic and occupational area from which an employer recruits employees



Outreach and Recruitment


Efforts to attract qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds



Protected Class


Groups legally protected from discrimination under federal or state law (e.g., race, sex, disability, veteran status)



Quota


A fixed numerical requirement for hiring or admissions; generally prohibited in affirmative action programs



Reverse Discrimination


A term used to describe claims that affirmative action unfairly disadvantages individuals from historically majority groups



Underutilization


When the representation of a protected group in a job group is less than its availability in the labor market



Utilization Analysis


A statistical comparison of workforce composition to labor market availability



Voluntary Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)


An employer-initiated plan to promote equal opportunity without a legal mandate