What does Executive Order 11246 prohibit?

Executive Order 11246 is a significant piece of legislation that addresses equal employment opportunity and prohibits discrimination in the workplace. Specifically, it prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender in all aspects of employment practices. This means that federal contractors are required to ensure that their hiring, promotion, and employment policies are free from bias related to these characteristics.

The order is designed to promote affirmative action and encourage diversity within the workforce, particularly among organizations that do business with the federal government. The focus on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender reflects the historical context of discrimination in the United States and aims to create a more equitable workplace environment.

While other options mention aspects of discrimination, they either narrow the scope of the protections or address specific issues not covered by Executive Order 11246. For instance, discrimination in hiring for federal contractors is only part of the overall prohibition; the broader protection against discrimination based on the listed characteristics applies to various employment practices beyond hiring.