Equal Opportunity
May 19, 2015
On November 19th, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, with the significant line of “that all men are created equal”.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower stated in November of 1957, “Today, when our national strength is being tested at every point, this tradition takes on added urgency. Our nation’s economy can ill afford to waste the talent and abilities of any individual because of discrimination against him on the basis of his race, his color, or his creed. Every citizen who helps to make legal and economic equality a living fact is helping America.
November nineteenth, the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, has been designated Equal Opportunity Day. In Lincoln’s words, “it is altogether fitting and proper” that we should use this day to rededicate ourselves to the firm establishment of equal opportunity for all. Let every citizen of the United States, whether an employer or employee, farmer or businessman, join in the effort to abolish all artificial discrimination which hinders the right of each American to advance in accordance with his merits as a human being and his capacity for productive work.”
On July 2, 1965 the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) was established. The EEOC enforces federal laws that make discrimination against a job applicant or an employee, because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information, illegal. Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases). The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.
Just as with any Federal or State Laws, new regulations and rulings are continuously being announced. HR Strategies is here to keep pace with changing governmental requirements that affect your business and help you stay compliant. By relieving your stress of whether or not you are in compliance, we give you the ability to focus on the aspects of your company for which you went into business, while we handle the behind the scenes issue of compliance. Be sure to join us for our next Management Training Seminar on June 4th, 2015; when we will be discussing the latest in regards to the EEOC and how it affects every employer.