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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( Eeoc )

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The number of discrimination charges reached a record high in 2010, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a government agency that investigates discrimination charges on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, retaliation, age, disability, and genetic information (Wong, 2011, para. 1). Although the majority of discrimination is unethical and unnecessary in the workplace, certain benefits can be seen if it is executed properly. Understanding discrimination is becoming more crucial as the workforce continues to become more diverse. Knowing where discrimination does and does not belong in the workplace will help employers create effective and progressive workforces.
In a plain sense, to discriminate means to distinguish, single out, or make a distinction. In the context of civil rights law, unlawful discrimination refers to unfair or unequal treatment of an individual or group based on certain characteristics, including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, and religion (What is Discrimination, 2010, para. 1). United States law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, para. 3). Several laws and regulations have been implemented in the United States to combat discrimination and inequality in the workplace.

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