An Ethical Dilemma: Affirmative Action, Do We Still Need It Essay Example

the secretary of labor to adopt such rules and regulations as he deems necessary and appropriate pursuant to the order’s purposes. In response to this mandate, the Department of Labor required all contractors to develop “an acceptable affirmative action program,” including and analysis of areas within which the contractor is deficient in the utilization of minority groups and women, and further, goals and timetables to which the contractor’s good faith efforts must be directed to correct the deficiencies.

The term “minority groups” referred to “Blacks, Spanish-surnamed Americans, American Indians, and Orientals. (p. 1) Prior to 1965, minorities got discriminated against when trying to apply for decent jobs, go to the higher learning institutes of those in the majority, and possibly live in some of the exquisite neighborhoods. Prior to affirmative action, Anglo’s had preference when applying to get into a decent college or employment. Affirmative action allows those in minority groups to achieve the status that their forefathers were not able to achieve.

In a book, Bardes, Shelley, Schmidt, (2003) state, “affirmative action is a policy in educational admissions or job hiring that gives special consideration or compensatory treatment to traditionally disadvantaged groups in an effort to overcome present effects of past discrimination. ” (p. 169) Affirmative action tries to give an advantage to the disadvantaged in granting access to higher education and decent employment. Traditionally, the people in the minority could not get a decent college education at some of the prestigious colleges and universities in America because of past discrimination against their race.

In an article, Button and Rienzo (2003) state “affirmative action in employment refers to policies and procedures designed to combat

on-going job discrimination in the workplace” (p. 2) This shows affirmative action tries to stop racial or gender discrimination in the workplace and allows for the increased employment of minorities. The workplace should have a balance of diversity. However some employers still have some bias in the hiring process. There are some places of employment where the employers themselves try to stop affirmative action.

The employer’s race, gender, or attitude could possibly dictate the one who would get hired for the job. “Many employers race and sex, as well as racial attitudes, are potentially important influences affecting the hiring process. ” (Button and Rienzo, 2003, p. 3) For example, prior to affirmative action, if one did not have the right color or gender, he or she did not get hired for the job. Employers felt they should hire one of their same race or gender. For years there has been a racial divide in America. The constitution reads, “All men are created equal. ” For years minorities have been looked at as lower class citizens.

In the early days of America, minorities did not have the same status of those in the majority. Affirmative action affords the opportunity minorities need in order to get ahead in society. Affirmative action opens up the opportunity for minorities that was not made available to them 50 years ago. Affirmative action plays an important part in getting employment with certain higher learning institutions. According to Cahn (1993): Affirmative action is not an integral part of the appointment process at virtually every college and university in the United States.

Announcements of available faculty and administrative positions routinely include statements such

as this actual one: “[The University] is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer which actively seeks and encourages nominations of, and expressions of interest from, minority and female candidates. ” Every search committee is expected to conduct its activities in accord with federal affirmative action guidelines, and typically compliance is monitored by a school’s Office of Affirmative Action. (p. 3) In order to give an advantage to the disadvantaged in the workplace, some employers need affirmative action.

Not having affirmative action in the workplace could make the employer look bias to one race or culture. “In the workplace, affirmative action requires employers to modify recruitment, hiring, and promotion practices in order to ensure race –(and gender-) neutral procedures. ” (Button, Rienzo, 2003, p. 3) Employers need to eliminate the possibility of racial and gender bias in the workplace to preclude a lawsuit. A situation like this could create some animosity in the workplace. “When hiring employees, larger businesses use affirmative action.

It is evident, larger businesses are more likely to hire minorities than small establishments because they can use more formalized hiring procedures that reduce the likelihood of racial bias. ” (Button, Rienzo, 2003, p. 5) Leaders in large businesses would want to try to reduce the likelihood of racial bias because it could bring down the morale and employees will tend to start thinking negative and this can turn into low job production in the workplace and would diversify their workforce. Getting rid of affirmative action could become detrimental to America.