How to embrace the concept of equal employment opportunity
As well as creating conditions in which all workers have an equal chance of employment and promotion, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is a legal requirement of most governments. In Australia, for example, the process of introducing EEO is linked to the Affirmative Action (EEO for Women) Act 1986. The Equal Opportunity in Public Employment (EOPE) legislation specifies the steps required to develop an EEO management plan. Those steps provide useful assistance in developing a plan for most organisations...
1. Adopt and circulate an EEO policy statement.
Inform your employees that your organisation has adopted or reaffirmed a policy commitment to EEO, thereby ensuring that staff will not be disadvantaged in any way on gender, religious, or racial grounds when it comes to employment within your company. Your immediate target groups covered by the policy would be: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those with disabilities, and those from non-English speaking backgrounds. Senior management endorsement is vital.
2. Appoint an EEO officer for your organisation.
Appoint a person or persons to be responsible for ensuring compliance with any EEO legislation. EEO officers must have sufficient authority and resources to enable them to carry out that role effectively. Given the importance of assuring equal employment opportunity, it is likely that your chief executive officer will feel obliged to assume overall responsibility. Group ownership of the plan, however, will be achieved by involving all those affected.
3. Consult with those whose support is required.
Unions and employees are likely to be the two affected groups. A consultative committee comprising representatives of staff and unions should be considered. Additional consultation with employees can occur through meetings and surveys. Target relevant group networks - for example, indigenous people, single parents and the disabled. Use newsletters to get your message across; and establish and help desk for quick response to individuals’ queries. Consultation is invariably a time-consuming, but essential, activity.
