Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Practice Exam

The ruling in United Steelworkers v. Weber supports voluntary race-conscious programs. This case, decided by the Supreme Court in 1979, addressed the legality of affirmative action within the framework of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Supreme Court affirmed that an employer could implement a voluntary affirmative action plan aimed at increasing the number of minority employees in the workforce, recognizing that such programs can help overcome past discrimination.

In this context, voluntary race-conscious programs are designed to create opportunities for underrepresented groups, promoting diversity and addressing the disparities that exist within the workplace. The ruling emphasized that these initiatives are permissible if they are temporary and aimed at remedying specific disadvantages faced by certain racial groups, as opposed to mandatory or quota-based systems, which would not align with the principles established in the ruling.