The Issue of Employer Intent or "Good Faith Effort" in the Affirmative Action/ Equal Employment Opportunity Process

Abstract

In today's Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity process, employers have been expected to provide a "good faith" effort in reaching equality and eliminating effects of past discrimination. In doing so, "good faith" has not been clearly defined, leaving public administrators and personnel directors to interpret and implement numerous and often times conflicting AA/EEO directives on their own. Failure to provide such a "good faith" effort has at times resulted in some employers experiencing sanctions and consequences imposed by Federal entities and the courts. Existing in the past, and somewhat in the present, confusion has surrounded the "good faith" concept. Continuous revision and streamlining of directives from various Federal, State and Local governing bodies have and will provide a more clear understanding of employer expectations and progress towards defining the "good faith" notion.