In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, President Trump has revoked Executive Order 11246, a landmark legislation that prohibited federal contractors and federally assisted construction contractors from discriminating against employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex.

A History of Progress

Executive Order 11246 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 24, 1965, as part of a broader effort to promote equal employment opportunities and combat discrimination in the workplace. The order built upon the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Key Provisions of Executive Order 11246

Executive Order 11246 required federal contractors and subcontractors to:

1. Take affirmative action: To ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
2. Develop written affirmative action plans: To detail their efforts to promote equal employment opportunities and eliminate discriminatory practices.
3. File annual compliance reports: With the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to demonstrate their compliance with the order.

The Impact of Revocation

The revocation of Executive Order 11246 (Equal employment opportunity act) has significant implications for equal employment opportunities in the federal workplace:

1. Federal Contractors: No longer required to comply with anti-discrimination rules, potentially leading to discriminatory hiring practices.
2. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Rolled back, potentially undermining efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workplace.
3. Equal Employment Opportunities: Potentially compromised, as federal contractors and agencies may no longer be held accountable for discriminatory practices.

Criticism and Concerns

Critics argue that the revocation of Executive Order 11246 will have catastrophic impacts on women and people of color, undermining decades of progress in promoting diversity and inclusion:

1. Civil Rights Organizations: Have condemned the move, citing concerns about the erosion of civil rights protections.
2. Business Leaders: Have expressed concerns about the potential impact on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
3. Lawmakers: Have introduced legislation to codify the protections afforded by Executive Order 11246 into law.