Which policy removes formal barriers to employment?

• A. Equal Opportunity
• B. Merit-Based Hiring
• C. Affirmative Action
• D. Seniority System

Answer: (C)

Removing formal barriers to employment means actively making sure that eligibility and hiring decisions aren’t blocked by discrimination or biased practices. Affirmative Action does this by taking proactive steps to create access and opportunities for groups that have faced barriers, such as outreach to underrepresented applicants, ensuring diverse candidate pools, and sometimes giving fair consideration to qualified candidates from those groups to counteract historical disparities. This approach goes beyond simply not discriminating; it actively seeks to level the playing field so qualified individuals can compete without facing systemic obstacles.

Equal Opportunity focuses on preventing discrimination and ensuring fair treatment, but it doesn’t always include the proactive measures to expand access or compensate for past barriers. Merit-Based Hiring selects based on qualifications and performance, not on broad access or remediation of barriers. A Seniority System rewards tenure and can maintain existing disparities rather than remove barriers to entry or advancement.