NBC News Announces New Goal of Hiring a Half Minority Workforce
Recently, NBC News announced a new goal of hiring a half minority workforce. The goal comes on the heels of a recent commitment to hiring a workforce that was 50% women.
Reactions from individuals across the political spectrum have varied. Lawyers contend that the commitment to hiring a certain percentage of individuals of any race or gender could violate Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, or sex. Today, we're taking a dive into how hiring policies interact with Title VII and the US legal system in general.
How Do Hiring Policies Interact with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?
As we mentioned earlier, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prevents employers from discriminating against potential or current employees on the basis of race, color, or sex. As of June 15th, 2020, Title VII protections also extend to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Essentially, employers are not allowed to utilize hiring practices that prevent a person from attaining a job due to any identifying markers they possess (race, gender or sexual identity, etc.).
NBC News isn't violating Title VII by announcing they would like to pursue a half minority, half female employment base. However, were NBC News to use hiring practices that purposefully excluded caucasian or male candidates simply due to their race or gender, NBC News would indeed violate Title VII statutes.
Where things often get sticky is taking employers to task for Title VII violations. Most of the hiring process occurs on the company's end within the HR department, and candidates are rarely privy to any of the details that lead to one person being selected for a job at the expense of another. As a result, "proving" an employer violated Title VII in court is often exceptionally challenging.
If you believe you were refused an employment opportunity based on your race, gender, or another identifying marker protected under Title VII, you need a capable lawyer at your side to help you protect your rights. At Scaringi Law, we have the tools to help you navigate your case.
To learn more, contact Scaringi Law online or via phone at (717) 775-7195.