ABA Family Legal Guide

Law and the Workplace

On the Job

Discrimination in the Workplace

What is an affirmative action plan?

An affirmative action plan (AAP) establishes guidelines for recruiting, hiring, and promoting women and minorities in order to eliminate the present effects of past employment discrimination. An employer analyzes its current employment practices and the makeup of its workforce for any indications that women and minorities are excluded or disadvantaged. If the employer identifies some problems, it then devises new or different policies and practices aimed at solving the problems. Lastly, the employer develops goals by which it can measure its progress in correcting the problems.