equal-opportunity employer

An equal opportunity employer is generally considered an employer that does not discriminate in the employment context based on characteristics proscribed in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, in addition to other federal anti-discrimination laws. These characteristics include race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. 

[Last reviewed in July of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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