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age
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The number of years that a person has been alive. Differences in age can cause conflict between workers if there is a lack of understanding of diversity.
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Age Discrimination in Employment Act
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A Federal law that prohibits age-based discrimination of employees over 40 years of age.
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Americans with Disabilities Act
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A Federal law that provides opportunities in the workplace for qualified individuals with a disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an employer cannot discriminate against a person with a disability in decisions related to hiring, firing, training, promotions, pay, benefits, or leave.
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Baby Boomer generation
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The generation of people born shortly after the end of World War II. A large percentage of the current workforce is considered part of the Baby Boomer generation.
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bias
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The unfair treatment of one person or group over another person or group.
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
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A body of Federal laws that protect the rights of different groups of people. Title VII is the part of the act that prohibits employment discrimination.
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culture
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The attitudes, behavior, and beliefs of any social group. Cultures may form based on common religion, backgrounds, or any number of other factors.
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disabilities
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The lack of an ability when compared to an average person. Disabilities may be physical, such as blindness, or mental, such as a learning disability.
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diversity
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The range of differences among people working in a company. Embracing diversity is an important trend in today's workplace.
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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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A government agency that enforces the provisions of Title VII, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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gender
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A person's sex, either male or female.
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pigeonholing
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Valuing someone for a simple criteria and nothing else. Pigeonholing occurs when a company values a person solely based on their age, race, gender, or any other factor that is not related to their abilities
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Pregnancy Discrimination Act
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An amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that states a woman cannot be denied a job, demoted, or fired because of pregnancy.
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prejudice
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Judgments made about a person based on his or her race, gender, age, etc. without knowing the person.
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race
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The categorization of people based on inherited traits like physical characteristics. Commonly recognized categories of race include African American, Caucasian, and Asian.
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sexual orientation
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The categorization of people based on their sexual partners. People may be heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.
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Title VII
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The part of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.
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zero tolerance
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A policy of extreme intolerance of any negative behavior. A zero tolerance of discrimination policy means that a company will swiftly discipline any violations of the policy with punishments up to and including termination of employment.
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