1
Perspective on Discrimination in the Workplace
BUS 312: Human Resource Management
2
Affirmative Action refers to policies that were established by the government to
guarantee equal opportunities for groups of people that historically were excluded in relation to
hiring and employment practices and education. Two examples of these policies include the
portion of the Civil Rights Act focused on non-discrimination, as well as the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
The concept of affirmative action was introduced to the United States in 1961, when
President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925 to direct federal contractors to treat all
applicants fairly (American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity). At first, women were
not included, as the executive order only assisted people that faced disadvantages based off their
color, national origin, race, or religion. Executive Order 11246 signed by President Johnson in
