City Personnel

The End of Affirmative Action and its Effect on the US Workforce

Affirmative Action is a set of policies and practices aimed at promoting equal opportunities for historically marginalized groups, such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. 

Affirmative Action seeks to address systemic inequalities and discrimination that have historically hindered these groups from achieving fair representation and access to educational and employment opportunities. 

The importance of Affirmative Action lies in its potential to break down discriminatory practices, increase diversity, and foster inclusion. It helps to challenge biases and prejudices, promote a more comprehensive understanding of merit, and expand access to resources and opportunities. 

Recently, the Supreme Court made a significant ruling regarding affirmative action in college admissions. The court effectively overturned affirmative action by declaring that race cannot be used as a factor in college admissions decisions. This ruling has implications for institutions across the United States.

The decision was reached with a divided Supreme Court, and it marks a shift in the approach to affirmative action in higher education. The court’s ruling prohibits the consideration of race-conscious admissions, effectively ending the use of affirmative action policies that take race into account during the college admissions process.

This ruling has been interpreted as a major setback for proponents of affirmative action, who argue that such policies are necessary to address historical inequities and promote diversity on campuses. Critics of affirmative action, on the other hand, view the ruling as an important step toward a more color-blind society.

It is important to note that this ruling specifically pertains to affirmative action in college admissions and does not necessarily impact affirmative action policies in other domains such as employment or government contracting.

So what are the effects of affirmative action on workplace diversity?

According to various sources, the end of affirmative action in college admissions could potentially have an impact on workplace diversity and the composition of the workforce. Affirmative action policies were implemented to promote equal opportunities for underrepresented groups, and their removal may pose challenges in achieving and maintaining diversity.

An article from Time highlights how the end of affirmative action can make it more difficult to establish a diverse professional workforce, which is crucial for the country’s progress. Additionally, Vox points out that the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admissions may embolden challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in hiring practices.

The Guardian raises concerns about the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in employment following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down diversity policies in higher education. It suggests that this decision could have broader implications for workplace DEI initiatives.

Despite the potential risks, Barron’s notes that many companies continue to prioritize workplace diversity even after the end of affirmative action. However, one possible consequence could be a decline in college graduates from underrepresented backgrounds, affecting the pipeline of diverse talent entering the workforce.

Forbes highlights that the impact of the end of affirmative action extends beyond college admissions. It could potentially reroute the talent pipeline and influence hiring practices across industries.

In terms of historical precedent, according to an article by SHRM, states that banned affirmative action experienced a decline in racial diversity in the workplace in the years that followed.

While the exact effects of ending affirmative action on the workforce may vary and depend on various factors, these sources suggest that it has the potential to impact workplace diversity and the ability to create an inclusive workforce.

Want to learn more about Affirmative Action and it's effects on the workplace?