HIRING WOMEN - THE EFFECTS OF CANADA EMPLOYMENT EQUITY ACT

Organizations in Canada's federal jurisdiction are required to adopt Employment Equity Programs (EEPs) designed to increase the presence of four traditionally underrepresented groups: women, aboriginal peoples, disabled persons, and visible minorities. This article reports the results of a study that examines the effect of EEPs on the hiring of women. Results suggest that organizations that adopt EEPs that are more formalized, more comprehensive, and better supported are more likely to hire a more representative number of women. The effects of EEPs, however, differ across occupational groups and among women with and without dual status (visible minorities, aboriginals, disabled).