Expert: John Fuller - 7/14/2009

Question
I would like to understand the difference between affirmative action & quota system.Does its benefits trade-off with the merit system? If we take women, they  do carry social responsibility, say reproductive one at least , which makes them lag behind career development opportunities utilization.If governments are to share the burden how to extend it to private sector.And, Which country in the world does have a well balanced approach in handling these issues.

Answer
Hi Temesgen,

Affirmative Action in the United States is not based upon a quota system.  The only time a quota would be mandated is when a court decides that a company has willfully discriminated against underrepresented minorities or women in the past and has a continuing history of discrimination.  The court order is only for a specific time period and when the company has demonstrated it does not discriminate in its hiring, the order is dropped.

Your question to the social responsibility of women for reproduction is not relevant in the context of affirmative action.   In fact if that is taken into the hiring consideration, it is considered discriminatory. The entire purpose of affirmative action is to ensure equal employment opportunity for everyone.  Companies that have 15 or more employees and have contracts with the federal government are required to have a published affirmative action plan.  This plan will outline what is termed "good faith efforts" to prove that the company has done what it can to attract candidates from all racial categories for any job that is posted; or have a job group that has people in the pipeline who are being considered.  I believe that the United States has a well balanced approach to affirmative action and that many are leading the way to ensure equal opportunity for everyone.  If you have any follow up questions, please feel free to ask.

John