Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

What is Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)?

Equal Employment Opportunity is the concept of equal opportunity in an organization to achieve or maintain fair employment. The core EEO definition (or equal opportunity for employment) is that all employees should be fairly treated when regarded in different decisions on employment, such as hiring, promotion, termination, compensation, etc. 

Within the context of the EEO definition, 'same opportunities' or 'equal opportunity' refers to the fact that employers may not use certain grounds for hiring or rejecting candidate or taking any other employment decision.

What is the basic principle of EEO?

EEO or Equal Employment Opportunity is the principle that everyone has equal way to pursue a job that is based on merit regardless of characteristics such as race, sex or sexual orientation. Equal Opportunity for Employment (EEO) law makes it illegally possible for employers to discriminate under certain features. That means employees are entitled to free themselves from race, color, religion, national origin and gender discrimination. 

Any potential employee, who protects his interests during all decisions on employment, shall have a right to equal opportunities or EEO. This includes: 

Hiring and recruitment 

Compensation and pay scale

Termination

Employment requests 

Benefits, bonus and incentives

Conditions of employment

Demotions

Promotions/Transfers

Disciplinary measures

Attendance and leave management

Dressing and appearance 

What are the advantages of Equal Employment Opportunity?

1. Improves overall recruitment funnel

An open and transparent recruitment process may be established when the organization undertakes the concept of equal employment opportunity in HRM. If potential employees know the unfair decisions relating to the recruitment procedure, they apply to better prospects during such a venture.

2. Boosts customer satisfaction

The clients of an organizations are firmly assured when employees contribute well to the organization's success, as it lays down sound guidance to ensure a safer and friendly workplace for all. A workplace that promotes employee well-being may achieve further milestones and produce excellent results that ultimately lead to better service to clients, thus increasing customer retention and satisfaction.

3. Promotes employee engagement

The EEO law allows employees to interact openly and communicate without discrimination between peers regarding race, gender, religion or hierarchy. It does not only promote respect for colleagues, but it also creates an open and friendly culture that supports and encourages the work of colleagues, and adds value to the organization's diversity.

What types of discrimination do EEO laws cover?

Here’s a list of the main EEO categories employers need to abide by:

Age

Disability

Equal Pay/Compensation

Genetic Information

Harassment

National Origin

Pregnancy

Race/Color

Religion

Retaliation

Sex

Sexual Harassment