Policies on Gender Equality

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects the rights of workers when it comes to sex-based discrimination and gender equality. The ultimate goal of the EEOC is to ensure that employers are maintaining fair and balanced work practices that support gender fairness.

Hiring and Firing Policies

The EEOC states that employers cannot hire or fire an individual based on gender. Decisions made on the basis of gender are considered sex-based discrimination. According to the EEOC, pre-employment questions about a person's gender are considered non-job related and can be a problem.

Wages and Benefits Policies

Wages and benefits must be equal between men and women. Pay scales should not differ due to gender. Wages are to be determined based on an individual's educational background, experience and the company's salary scale for that job.

Raises

When supervisors give raises they must not do so because of the employee's gender, or else this becomes a sex-based discrimination claim. According to the EEOC, the law forbids employment activities, such as raises and promotions that are linked to sexual discrimination, because this can lead to gender inequality issues.

Sexual Harassment

The EEOC that that it is unlawful to sexually harass people in the workplace due to a person's gender. Sexual harassment includes sexual gestures, jokes, comments, advances or sexual favors towards a person of the same or opposite sex.

References

• EEOC: Pre-Employment Inquiries and Gender
• EEOC: Sex-Based Discrimination