Preview

Affirmative Action Essay 11

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2702 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Affirmative Action Essay 11
Affirmative Action

Student Name

MBA Course Name

Instructor Name, PhD.

Date

Affirmative Action
As a human resource manager, in the future, understanding and preparing to deal with affirmative action will be essential to organizational success. For many years, managers did not pay attention to the concept of equal opportunity employment, and all kinds of people were ignored or passed over for promotion or even general employment. As a result, many businesses became one dimensional, and eventually closed their doors because their organizations were unable to see the business world from various perspectives. Over the years though, ideas began to change as diversity has begun to seat itself into the very existence of many large organization. Understand that diversity is instrumental in their success, many organizations will continue to incorporate affirmative action into all facets of the hiring and promotion processes in the future. This paper will look at affirmative action, how it has affected business, the government, and society, and then offers suggestions to make affirmative action better in the future. Through developing a better understanding of affirmative action, it should help human resource managers make better business decisions in the future.
History
During the Johnson administration, Affirmative Action was introduced in order to remedy years of discrimination. It was originally designed to improve the opportunities of minorities in the educational and business worlds. It helped open opportunities by mandating that minorities be given a fair and equal chance, regardless of color, race, religion, sex, or national origin. Backed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a subsequent executive order in 1965, the government began pushing Affirmative Action to federal agencies, contractors, and subcontractors. “Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it unlawful for employers covered by the Act to discriminate in the hiring,



References: Colarelli, S., Poole, D., Unterborn, K., & D 'Souza, G.. (2010). Racial Prototypicality, Affirmative Action, and Hiring Decisions in a Multiracial World. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 18(2), 166-173.  Retrieved August 4, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global Fried, C.  (1989). Affirmative Action After City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co.: A Response to the Scholars ' Statement; Scholars ' Reply to Professor Fried. The Yale Law Journal, 99(1), 155.  Retrieved August 2, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1353577). Rutherglen, G. (1987). Disparate Impact Under Title VII: An Objective Theory of Discrimination. Virginia Law Review, 73(7), 1297.  Retrieved August 3, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1346687). Scott, K.D., & Little, B.L. (1991). Affirmative Action: New Interpretations and Realities. HR. Human Resource Planning, 14(3), 177.  Retrieved August 3, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 494682). Supateera, C., & Kleiner, B.H. (1999). Discrimination in government. Equal Opportunities International, 18(5/6), 78.  Retrieved August 2, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 295481591). Werz, M., & Morgan, J.M. (2010). Affirmative Action in the United States: Center for American Progress

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Discontent is building against executive bonuses of more than 1 billion euros ($1.33 billion) at Anheuser-Busch InBev triggered when the brewer cut its huge debt two years ahead of target. This 2008 exceptional option grant was set to vest if the group's net debt to core EBITDA profit ratio fell below 2.5 times before the end of 2013. The actual debt ratio fell to 2.26 times by the end of 2011 which is 2 years early. This bonus issue annoyed the group managers and office staff who are seeking for work security guarantees according to union officials while Brito, the CEO of AB-InBev appeared to have security up to 2019 when his options fully vest. This annoyed both the white collars and blue collars…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The continuation of the application of affirmative action in the labor market. “Affirmative action is one of the most controversial government interventions in the labor market since the abolition of slavery.”(Jonathan Leonard) Affirmative action pertaining to the labor market takes a very different stance. Under Executive Order 11246 (part of the Civil Rights Act), “ you are not to discriminate against any employee because of race, color, religion and sex, as well as take affirmative action to ensure that there is a diversity of employees”. The contradiction of this statement is astonishing, and to have that nailed in the coffin known as our Constitution, is the ultimate blow on the use of this policy in the workplace. The fact that we must not consider race, but consider it in terms of diversity is overall a confusing concept and forced employers to establish ‘quotas’ to meet racial goals. This is very beneficial for white collar or craft jobs, where employers are hesitant to hire minorities or women because they do not believe they can handle the burden of the job. This maybe one of the only circumstances where federal pressure is advantageous, and statistics show that establishments are growing to give more job openings specially for african americans, hispanics and other minorities, decreasing its 89% white-hiring percentage. The effects of these kinds of policies are significant on a 99% confidence level or better, and have resulted in better representation in establishments(especially minority females) and also benefit companies in their own employment growth. However, these job openings are mainly in unskilled positions reducing the production of specially-skilled members of society, and basically producing only white specialties. Studied by Ashenfelter and Heckman(1976), taking african americans as an…

    • 2122 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Case Study 8.3 Affirmative Action and the Urban, African-American Student Experience on Rural, Predominately White Campuses: Is the Cure Worse Than the Disease?…

    • 1205 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Lesley Oelsner, "Court to Weigh College Admission That Gives Minorities Preference," New York Times, 23 Feb 1977, pg…

    • 4130 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In this paper, there will be a description of “the elements of affirmative action and how it applies to the public sector and private sector of employment” (Bennet-Alexander & Hartman, 2007). This paper will describe “how affirmative action interacts with Title VII requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act” (Bennet-Alexander & Hartman, 2007). Other factors that this paper will address will be “what happens if employers do not meet the goals of the affirmative action plan, what employers are subject to affirmative action plans and why, and what do the affirmative action plans require employers to do.” (Bennet-Alexander &…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Gerapetritis, G. (January 01, 2011). Affirmative Action: a New Challenge for Equality. Values in Global Administrative Law, 17-60.…

    • 1463 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Employers are required to make reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation may include any changes or adjustments made to improve the job or work environment that would enable an individual with a…

    • 904 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Affirmative action was first referenced to in 1961 with the signing of Executive order 10925 (Brunner). With this the Committee on Equal Opportunity was created, and was mandated that "projects financed with federal funds ‘take affirmative action ' to ensure that hiring and employment practices are free of racial bias" (Brunner). Three years later, in 1964 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights act that prohibits any form of discrimination (Brunner). On June 4, 1965, President Johnson defined the concept of affirmative action saying, "that civil rights laws alone are not enough to remedy discrimination" (Brunner). Supporters of affirmative action say that the government must make up for the past by aiding groups that have been discriminated against. They argue that goals for hiring are necessary to integrate fields traditionally closed and minorities because of discrimination. Does achieving these goals help the American population?…

    • 726 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Affirmative action is an instituted list of policies to make up for past discrimination against groups based on race, religion, national origin, and gender. From its beginning, affirmative action has given minority groups opportunities for employment, promotion at work, new business ownership, school admission, scholarships and financial aid. President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced affirmative action during the civil rights era in 1965. It was used "as a method of redressing discrimination that had persisted in spite of civil rights laws and constitutional guarantees." (Brunner) The purpose of affirmative action was to end racial inequality and set a level playing field for all races. Affirmative action allowed minorities a fair chance to pursue education and career advancement. It originally was intended for temporary assistance and was supposed to crush existing racially biased ideas in society. What was once a noble and valiant idea in 1965…

    • 1618 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    One of the most significant current discussions in legal and moral philosophy concerns affirmative action. Affirmative action is an action or policy intended to eliminate discrimination against ethnic minorities, women, and the disabled in workplaces and educational institutions. In employment and educational institutions, affirmative action does the followings: names and demolishes discriminatory barriers for instance biased testing or recruitment; performs outreach to the inadequately represented women and minorities by administering colleges, women and minority organizations. Also by allowing race or ethnicity to be one of the considered factors during evaluation of qualified candidates, affirmative action provides diversity to both workplaces…

    • 1457 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Affirmative action is the policy in which schools give priority to students who tend to suffer from discrimination. The policy was intended to give minorities equal rights in the admission process, however nowadays, it gives an unfair preference to one group of students, as opposed to being equal. This leads into the discussion of racial discrimination. Opponents of the law say that affirmative action gives minorities an unfair advantage over non-minorities. On the other side, proponents of the law say affirmative action is the way to reverse the negative effects caused by years of racism and discrimination before 1961. I believe that affirmative action is a good sentiment to the minority community, however, I think it’s the incorrect approach to fix the problem. You can’t solve the problem of discrimination by creating more discrimination.…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Affirmative Action

    • 1882 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Sturkey, William M. "Affirmative Action." Contemporary American Social Issues. Vol. ………1. Santa Barabara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2011. 9-18. Print.…

    • 1882 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Affirmative action is a controversial topic topic, especially in American society. Affirmative action is an active effort to improve the employment or education opportunities of members of minority groups and women. It also means a similar effort to promote the rights of other disadvantaged persons. In America, affirmative action is for a disadvantaged group to have equal opportunities, regardless of: race, religion/creed, sex, national origin, and disability (OFCCP). Many surround the words affirmative action around race, but socioeconomic status, gender, and various other background characteristics play a role. These factors and more especially in the realm of education. Affirmative action is beneficial due to its history and who it affects.…

    • 1385 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Affirmative action was created to increase the number of people from certain social groups in employment, education, business, government, and other areas (LaNoue, G., 2010). This policy is geared toward women, and minorities such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and disabled people. Generally speaking, Affirmative Action was put into place to benefit groups that are thought to have suffered from discrimination. Some believe that affirmative action is just a means for minorities to get ahead, but the benefit is for minorities to first of all be considered. Affirmative Action has created a diverse workforce, educational system, businesses and government. Therefore, the policy is not perfect but it is necessary and in effect fair.…

    • 1816 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    What this paper had accomplish is that people will understand what affirmative action is, present four different government views, and my stance against affirmative action in connection to opportunities. Affirmative action programs can ensure that everyone is provided the same equal opportunities despite of their race, color, or gender. However, affirmative action can be linked as to racial discrimination because people of color or certain minority groups are not given the same opportunity to go to the best universities in the United States, or hire for employment. The real challenge is to implement a resolution that can benefit the majority and minority by providing enough seats for students who wants to have a higher education. Also, provide a decent paying job without having to bring up race or gender. The fact that this is a major issue in the employment and education world, but the real question is who will stand up and make a change to end racial discrimination and provide equal opportunity for…

    • 720 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays