Affirmative Action

[KukriKhan]

(a) The purposes of this chapter are--
(1) to encourage noncareer service in the uniformed services by
eliminating or minimizing the disadvantages to civilian careers and
employment which can result from such service;
(2) to minimize the disruption to the lives of persons
performing service in the uniformed services as well as to their
employers, their fellow employees, and their communities, by
providing for the prompt reemployment of such persons upon their
completion of such service; and
(3) to prohibit discrimination against persons because of their
service in the uniformed services.

(b) It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should
be a model employer in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

That's the 1974 language used in the implementing document to add the Act to the US Code. Recall that in '74, we were transitioning from a draftee to a "volunteer" force. Many of the provisions have been changed (generally, expanding 'qualified' service)... as recently as 2003.

My understanding of the use of "Affirmative Action" in this law, is so the Human Resource guys could bundle their "how we comply" plan in one catch-all package, to show the Dept o/Labor guys "Here is how we don't discriminate against race, gender, religion, military service, etc. etc.".

But, I'm not sure I answered your question. Do you challenge veteran/disabled-veteran preference in hiring/contracting?

[Major Robert Dump]

Not at all. Actually, I was curious though if the word "qualified" meant qualified as in qualified for the job, or qualified as in meeting the criteria to be considered special disabled.

[whyidie]

Not at all. Actually, I was curious though if the word "qualified" meant qualified as in qualified for the job, or qualified as in meeting the criteria to be considered special disabled.

Oh crap you may be right. They likely do mean qualified in regards to their disability.

[KukriKhan]

I should have linked-up earlier. Sorry.
Govt Printing Ofc doc tracker

Qualified = has the right service dates & campaign medals to assert coverage under the VEVRA.

[Major Robert Dump]

I don't understand why they lump the veteran section under affirmative action law for the sake of simplicity and enforcement, but it really doesn't seem to fit (just like quotas don't fit) except in the spirit of existing to prevent discrimination, i.e. "we won't hire you because we don't like military people."

I'm assuming this is largely overseen by Veterans Affairs in the capacity of job placement assistance and reintegration into veterans old jobs etc. It just seems rather odd that this particular stuff is considered affirmative action.

On a side note, I think quotas are often a friend of companies who impose them, while working against the employees and the customers/beneficiaries of the services provided. Basically, quotas are the easy way out if you can prove you are trying to meet them, because the fact is that not all ethnic groups and sexes apply for certain jobs/schools.

This is why companies save applications for years, and why larger companies give you the option of putting your race on the application if you want. If a Latino man goes to a coffee shop and gets bad service, then sues the coffee shop and uses the lack of Latino employees as further proof of discrimination, how does the coffee shop prove it never gets Latino applicants?

[Scurvy]

This is why companies save applications for years, and why larger companies give you the option of putting your race on the application if you want. If a Latino man goes to a coffee shop and gets bad service, then sues the coffee shop and uses the lack of Latino employees as further proof of discrimination, how does the coffee shop prove it never gets Latino applicants?

they keep records of the applicants....

[KukriKhan]

Looks like Michigan voters decided to ditch AA afterall

Proposal - 2 Affirmative Action - Michigan 5651 of 5681 Precincts Reporting

Yes - 2,131,488 - 58.06%
No - 1,539,431 - 41.94%

from Detroit News online

[yesdachi]

Its about the only thing I voted for that passed/got elected. but