What is Positive Discrimination?
‘Positive Discrimination’ refers to the policies and reformations brought by companies who wish to give an extra advantage to the underrepresented group. It is a risky endeavour for any organization and it has to be implemented with the right intent to succeed.
It has been a controversial topic as it might even become unfair to the majority of personnel. For example, in the United Kingdom, it is illegal to use positive discrimination practices in any kind of workplace due to the legislations of the Equality Act 2010.
There are nine protected characteristics on which an employee might be discriminated against and positive discrinimation refers to giving a benefit or position to an individual possessing any of these characteristics over a normal individual. They are:
- Age
- Gender
- Disabilities
- Marriage or Partnership
- Pregnancy
- Race
- Religion and Beliefs
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Reassignment
