Equal opportunity, in a legal context, refers to the principle that individuals should have the same rights and opportunities without discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, religion, age, disability, or national origin. It encompasses the idea that everyone should have an equal chance to succeed, regardless of their background or characteristics. Equal opportunity laws and regulations prohibit discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. These laws aim to create a fair and inclusive society by promoting diversity, preventing discrimination, and providing remedies for individuals who have been subjected to unlawful discrimination.
- n. a right supposedly guaranteed by both federal and many state laws against any discrimination in employment, education, housing or credit rights due to a person's race, colour, sex (or sometimes sexual orientation), religion, national origin, age or handicap. A person who believes he/she has not been granted equal opportunity or has been outright sexually harassed or discriminated against may bring a lawsuit under federal and most state laws, or file a complaint with the federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission or a state equal opportunity agency.
- adj. a term applied to employers, lenders and landlords, who advertise that they are "equal opportunity employers," subtly suggesting all others are not, even though they are required by law to be so.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/equal-opportunity/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Equal Opportunity. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 06 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/equal-opportunity/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Equal Opportunity. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/equal-opportunity/ (accessed: May 06 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Equal Opportunity. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 06 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/equal-opportunity/