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.
Also read : Quick guide to an effective recruitment process
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.
Also read : Best ways to boost employee engagement
What are the disadvantages of Equal Employment opportunity?
In many organizations, equal employment opportunity has been considered inadequate to simply remove barriers to the workplace, given the long history of discrimination. Many companies require highly specialized skills that certain groups of people might possess. Even without intentional discrimination, this can cause a decrease in diversity.
Another disadvantage of equal employee opportunity is that it doesn't come effortlessly. There are many people who suffer some stereotyping of gender, race, sexual orientation and nationality. It is often necessary to consciously see past events and judge people fairly. However, it is really up to every employer to develop a culture, which accepts no discrimination of any kind. This is not only an issue of keeping up – it is important for you to create an environment that helps people thrive in dynamic and comfortable working situations.
Why is Equal Employment opportunity important?
The EEO principle helps employees to feel treated equally and fairly. This greatly promotes other factors in HRM, such as employee engagement, improved performance, customer satisfaction, etc. The country-level authorities often found it essential to inspect the workforce of organizations to ensure diversity, in order to encourage and even mandate equal opportunities. EEO is important because it sets out how people treat themselves at work.
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