Question

Activity 1: Vocabulary Builder – 20 Points

Define each term in your own words:

Disparate Impact:

Neutral policy:

Structural discrimination:

Job-related standard:

Protected group:

Answer 1

Disparate impact:
A policy, rule, or practice that looks neutral on its face but ends up harming or excluding members of a particular protected group disproportionately. The focus is on the effect of the policy rather than any intent to discriminate.

Neutral policy:
A rule or practice that applies equally to everyone and does not explicitly target any group. (A neutral policy can still cause disparate impact if its effects fall unevenly on a protected group.)

Structural discrimination:
Patterns built into social systems, institutions, laws, or practices that systematically disadvantage certain groups over time, even without overt individual prejudice. It’s discrimination embedded in structures and routines.

Job-related standard:
A qualification, test, or requirement that is directly relevant to performing the essential duties of a job; it can be defended as necessary (a business necessity) because it predicts or ensures competent job performance.

Protected group:
A category of people who are legally shielded from discrimination, typically defined by characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation in some places), national origin, age, or disability.