Affirmative action and reverse discrimination in the workplace

Ethics

Firstly, I do believe it is necessary, and even vital, to redress discrimination against women and other minorities as previously promoted in the workplace. This is simply a further result of the fact that increasing amounts of business are finally understanding the fact that the whole American nation is entitled to the same opportunities and rights, regardless of any obvious physical differences. Having said that, however, I also feel that some of the practices adopted by both businesses and society are on the side of the other extreme with regard to discrimination.

I believe that affirmative action programs in the workplace have their value. They provide opportunities where there were none in the past. However, it is all too easy for these to become reverse discrimination, which is also not in accordance with the principles of a free and democratic society. If a person is for example appointed more on the strength of skin color than on qualification, several negative impacts may result.

This person may for example be ostracized from the workplace community, because other workers perceive favoritism, whereas the worker may himself wonder whether there is any merit in the hiring practice. Furthermore, resentment could be cultivated in society as a whole, as some may feel that they are deprived of the opportunities that minority groups have been receiving with almost no effort at all.