Affirmative Action (AA) encompasses a series of policies and practices designed to ensure equitable access to opportunities for individuals, irrespective of their race, gender, religion, or other protected attributes. The United States Department of Education coined the term “affirmative action” in the 1960s. It remains relevant in the present era as it acts as a corrective measure for the enduring effects of historical prejudice, guaranteeing equal opportunities for all individuals to pursue their objectives. Affirmative action initiatives encompass strategies such as focused recruitment of minority groups, implementation of specialized training and mentoring programs to aid individuals with specific characteristics in accessing employment opportunities, and granting preferences in hiring and promotion based on an individual’s identity.
Affirmative action has evolved throughout history and is now recognized as a method to promote social equity by actively recruiting and employing individuals from underrepresented groups in society. Furthermore, it strives to guarantee equitable access to opportunities for individuals, irrespective of their ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, or any other legally safeguarded attributes. Empirical evidence has shown that Affirmative Action is a successful tactic for enhancing workforce diversity, and it is also a crucial element in endeavors to promote equal opportunity in the workplace.
In summary, Affirmative Action remains crucial in contemporary society as it plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing equitable access to employment opportunities and promoting equal treatment of individuals in the workplace. The utilization of this instrument is crucial for promoting social justice and cultivating workforce diversity, both of which can be enhanced through its implementation.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that ensures qualified employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. These reasons include the arrival or adoption of a child or the provision of care for a family member with a severe health condition. This leave can be utilized for a range of circumstances, such as the arrival of a newborn, the legal process of adopting a child, or the provision of care for a family member who is experiencing a severe illness. It remains pertinent in contemporary society as it safeguards employees from termination or demotion due to taking leave to care for their own family members or attend to their personal medical needs.
Upon the return of eligible employees from FMLA leave, the FMLA guarantees that they will be reinstated to either their previous position or a similar role, with compensation and benefits that are equivalent to what they had prior to taking FMLA leave. Furthermore, businesses are obligated to persist in making contributions towards the health insurance premiums of employees who are on FMLA leave, as well as maintaining health insurance coverage for said employees.
In summary, the Family and Medical Leave Act remains pertinent in contemporary society as it provides protection for employees against termination or demotion when they take leave to attend to familial responsibilities or address their own medical needs. It plays a crucial role in advocating for employee rights and protecting employees from unfair or unlawful treatment.
U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Family and Medical Leave (FMLA). https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/fmla
Dessler, G. (2020). Human Resource Management (16th ed.). Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN-13: 9780135172780