Which term describes discrimination that arises when a neutral employment policy adversely affects members of a protected class?

• A. Ageism
• B. Allies
• C. Adverse impact
• D. Access discrimination

Answer: (C)

Adverse impact describes discrimination that happens when a policy is neutral on its face but ends up harming members of a protected class more than others. The crucial point is that the policy isn’t targeting a group, yet its effects are disproportionately negative for that group, which is what Title VII and related employment laws address as disparate impact. For example, a hiring standard that seems neutral but ends up excluding a disproportionate share of a protected group because of how the standard interacts with differences in the population is adverse impact. If the impact is significant and not justified by a business necessity or there’s a less discriminatory alternative, the policy can be challenged under equal employment laws. Ageism involves explicit bias toward age, allies refer to supporters, and access discrimination is not the standard term for this neutral-policy–caused disparity.