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APPENDIX Glossary of Commonly Used Terms in Affirmative Action AA/AAP: Commonly used “shorthand” references for Affirmative Action/Affirmative Action Plan Adverse Impact: A substantially different rate of selection in hiring, promoting, transferring, training, or in other employment decisions which works to the disadvantage of members of a race, ethnic or gender group. If such a rate is less than 80% of the selection rate of the race, ethnic or gender group with the highest rate of selection, this will generally be regarded as evidence of adverse impact. Affirmative Action: Results-oriented actions taken to assure that positions in the public service are genuinely and equally accessible to qualified persons, without regard to their gender identity or expression, race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability (including AIDS and HIV), medical condition (cancer), genetic information, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, veterans, pregnancy, family or medical leave status, or any other status protected by state and federal laws. When an employer has reason to believe that its selection procedures have an exclusionary effect, it should initiate affirmative steps to remedy the situation. Where appropriate, it includes goals and timetables to address underutilization and correction of problem areas. Affirmative Action vs. EEO: Affirmative Action is proactive. EEO is the commitment by the employer not to discriminate in personnel practices based on gender identity or expression, race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability (including AIDS and HIV), medical condition (cancer), genetic information, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, veterans, pregnancy, family or medical leave status, or any other status protected by state and federal laws. Affirmative Action Plan: The written results-oriented program in which an employer sets forth the specific actions it will take to address under representation of women and minorities in its work force. African-American: A person with origins in any of the African racial groups who is also not of Hispanic origin. American Indian or Alaskan Native (Native Americans): A person with origins in any of the original peoples of North America and who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition. Annual Goal: A reasonably attainable yearly target, expressed as a percentage, for placing minorities or women in a job group for which underutilization exists if every good effort is applied to make all aspects of the entire affirmative action program work. This target is based on the underutilized group’s availability. Asian or Pacific Islander: A person with origins in any of the original peoples of the Far <strong>East</strong>, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity 81