Why is it you have to state your race in 'equal opportunity' questions?

Question

I have been looking for a second job and keep coming across this section. Surely if it were equal opportunity, they wouldn't need to ask my skin colour...Right?

Answer 1

i applied for a job and did nit fill in that part, they would not accept my application

Answer 2

Affirmative Action is to blame for that one. Equal opportunity arises from the disproportionate amount of white people compared to other races. Assuming everyone had equal skills and knowledge, there would have to be something to say that we're going to give this Asian woman a shot, even though there are fifty white men who are just as qualified. If they didn't do this, the workplace would be almost all made up of white men. Sad but true.

Not that I support Affirmative Action or don't. I'm just saying that's why it's in place and that's why there's a box for that.

Answer 3

Equal Opportunity = Positive Descrimination towards nationals.

Answer 4

True, there was a time when it was against the law to ask about age, sex or race.

Most of the time if someone has to tell you they are something like equal opportunity, that means they aren't. If they were they wouldn't mention it.

Answer 5

Equal opportunity= fill quotas (even though illegal under affirmative action)

Answer 6

it all comes down to culture as some folks culture would cut across the position they are trying to obtain but never-the-less rather offensive to some people

Answer 7

Well if you come across it in front of your future boss he'll probably be ok with it

Answer 8

same as why they ask you your age or your marital status, its called being nosey and they just want to no what their getting. But they say that they use it for statistics..

Answer 9

right, they don't want too many blacks