Glossary / Bona Fide Occupational Qualification

Bona Fide Occupational Qualification

The concept of the "Bona Fide Occupational Qualification" (BFOQ) simply means that some business establishments can ask for skills, aptitudes, and traits that relate to the job-in-focus, as long as the job demand the characteristics that they need, meaning that those traits are necessary to do the work well. BFOQs need to be very close to the job excluding the most fundamental parts of it. In the boundary of the USA, VII part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 primarily relies on this idea. It is written that the righteousness is for everyone, and classifications due to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin are considered unlawful (to the exceptions that are recognized by the law).

Example Of Bona Fide Occupational Qualification

For instance, an airplane company might have a Real Occupational Qualification for the job of flight assistant that is based on gender. The company might say that culture norms or safety concerns mean that only women can do the job well. For example, some travelers may feel more safe with a female assistant when they need help with personal care tasks while they're in the air, like going to the bathroom or changing clothes. Also, female flight workers may be better prepared to help pregnant women or comfort children who are alone in an emergency. In this situation, the BFOQ of gender for flight attendants would be legal because it has to do with the important duties of the job and is not discriminatory.

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