Final answer:
The right to employment and advancement without discrimination is known as equal employment opportunity, as outlined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and enforced by the EEOC. It differs from affirmative action, which is an active effort to compensate for past discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The right to employment and advancement without regard to race, sex, color, religion, or national origin is called equal employment opportunity. This principle ensures that all individuals have an equal chance for employment, based on their qualifications and abilities, without discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, particularly Title VII, explicitly outlaws discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce these laws. Affirmative action refers to policies that actively promote the employment of individuals who have traditionally been discriminated against; however, it is distinct from equal employment opportunity.
The difference in treatment based on personal characteristics is deemed as discrimination, which can occur in various contexts such as hiring, promotion, and compensation. Employers are encouraged to maintain a diverse workforce and to abstain from using any discriminatory practices as outlined by the EEOC guidelines.