DEFINITION: The Employment Equity Act is a Canadian federal statute that promotes equality in the workplace by addressing and preventing employment discrimination and ensuring representation and advancement opportunities for designated groups.
FAQs:
1. What are the designated groups under the Employment Equity Act?
Designated groups under the Employment Equity Act include women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.
2. What does the Employment Equity Act require employers to do?
The Act requires employers to develop and implement employment equity plans to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent designated group members from achieving equality in the workplace.
3. Do all employers have to comply with the Employment Equity Act?
No, only federally regulated employers with 100 or more employees are required to comply with the Employment Equity Act.
4. How does the Employment Equity Act address discrimination?
The Act prohibits discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, and other employment practices based on the grounds of race, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or marital status.
5. What are the consequences of non-compliance with the Employment Equity Act?
Non-compliance with the Act can result in penalties, fines, and, in severe cases, may lead to legal action against the employer. The Act aims to ensure accountability and the promotion of equal opportunities for all employees.