Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action

Tywana Bowman

University of Phoenix

MGT/434 (Employment Law)

Professor Laurie Ryan MHRM

May 28, 2008

Introduction

The workforce planning process identifies skills and timelines for acquiring the employees needed to acquire the job and achieve organizational goals. A company’s human resource staff works with management to locate, hire, and integrate new employees into the workgroup. This paper will discuss how affirmative action plays a role in the selection process within the private and public sector.

Over the years, all three branches of the federal government have participated in regulating the ways employers interact with the company’s employees. Since legislation, Executive Orders, and regulations were enacted, no employment activity is free from the watchful eye of the federal government. Understanding of these various laws, regulations, and cases surrounding affirmative action is a key element in the development and implementation of complaint workforce plans and activities.

Since the enactment of the Civil Rights Legislation of 1964 (Title VII), Title VII is regarded as the milestone for modern equal employment opportunity. This legislation impacted many grim areas of American life. Title VII served as a means dedicated to improving and providing equal employment opportunities for all Americans. This act identified five protected classes: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, and defined unlawful employment practices (Title VII). As one may see, this legislation plays an important role in Executive Orders.

Executive Orders are presidential proclamations when published in the Federal Register, become law after 30 days (OFCCP). Executive orders have been used to ensure equal employment opportunities are afforded by the federal agencies and private businesses that contract with those agencies (OFCCP). An Executive Order 11246 was established during a pivotal moment in American...