Question

Explain the difference between disparate treatment and disparate impact.

Answer 1

The basic and primary difference that is considered between disparate treatment and disparate impact is disparate impact is considered to be unintentional whereas, disparate treatment is considered to be intentional discriminatory act in workplace or employment. For example if in an organization a manager conducts an assessment and after the results have been announced it is observed that a group of employee whoa re all female are rejected then such a situation is the example of disparate impact because the situation was unintentional. Again, if in an assessment if questions are intentionally framed to favor a certain group of employee depending on race, sex, color, ethnicity and national origin then such treatment is disparate treatment. So the difference is quite clear in which disparate treatment is generally the action while as disparate impact is the impact which is unintentionally causing discrimination.