age |
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. |
Age Discrimination in Employment Act |
A Federal law that prohibits age-based discrimination of employees over 40 years of age. |
Americans with Disabilities Act |
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. |
Baby Boomer generation |
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. |
bias |
The unfair treatment of one person or group over another person or group. |
Civil Rights Act of 1964 |
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. |
culture |
The attitudes, behavior, and beliefs of any social group. Cultures may form based on common religion, backgrounds, or any number of other factors. |
disabilities |
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. |
diversity |
The range of differences among people working in a company. Embracing diversity is an important trend in today's workplace. |
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission |
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. |
gender |
A person's sex, either male or female. |
pigeonholing |
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 |
Pregnancy Discrimination Act |
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. |
prejudice |
Judgments made about a person based on his or her race, gender, age, etc. without knowing the person. |
race |
The categorization of people based on inherited traits like physical characteristics. Commonly recognized categories of race include African American, Caucasian, and Asian. |
sexual orientation |
The categorization of people based on their sexual partners. People may be heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. |
Title VII |
The part of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. |
zero tolerance |
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. |