The Effect of Not Requiring Diplomas on Education and the Job Market

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Details: Published on Thursday, 14 June 2012 11:08

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently stated that employees may be discriminating against persons with disabilities if they require a high school diploma for jobs where the skills needed can be a obtained in other ways. Additional guidance on this matter was given by the EEOC by means of a Q&A document. The reason for the possible discrimination is because it can be more difficult for people with mental and/or physical disabilities to obtain a high school diploma than others. Even though they may not have been educated in a formal setting that enabled them to obtain a high school diploma they still may possess the skills needed to do the job.

Many have argued that by imposing these restrictions the EEOC is harming our society and way of life. This new method may make employers even more reluctant to hire people out of fear of legal action. This could be detrimental in a society where jobs are already scarce. Employers may also fear that they are going to be more likely to hire an incompetent employee that may not possess the basic math and reading skills needed for job. Skills that are required and is almost guaranteed in someone with a diploma.

Another concern is that these guidelines may cause a decrease in the value of education in our society. If diplomas are no longer a requirement in many jobs some in younger and future generations may not be as motivated to complete high school and/or pursue secondary education.

"There will be less incentive for the general public to obtain a high school diploma if many employers eliminate that requirement for job applicants in their workplace." said Mary Theresa Metzler, an attorney in Philadelphia.

Attorney for the EEOC, Peggy Mastroianni, said"...we don't think the regulation would discourage people from obtaining high school diplomas. People are aware that they need all the education they can get."

The fight concerning requiring high-school diplomas for employment is nothing new. In 1971 in the case Griggs v. Duke Power, the US Supreme Court ruled it was unlawful for the utility company to require diplomas because it had a greater negative impact on African-Americans than Caucasians.

For the practice of requiring diplomas for certain employment to be eradicated, it will be important for the EEOC, employers and disability advocates to come together and develop an acceptable practice for evaluating the work skills of applicants.