The purpose of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act is to prevent what in the workplace?

• A. Discrimination based on age
• B. Wage and hour violations
• C. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
• D. Discrimination based on sexual orientation

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is protection against workplace discrimination for specific groups. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act targets unfair treatment in hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions based on protected characteristics. Those protected categories—race, color, religion, sex, and national origin—are the ones the act prohibits and the ones enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Wage and hour issues fall under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and age discrimination is covered by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Sexual orientation isn’t listed as a protected category under this act in the typical exam context. So, the statement about preventing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin best reflects the act’s purpose.