What does Executive Order 11246 prohibit?

Executive Order 11246 is a significant piece of legislation that prohibits discrimination in employment practices for federal contractors and subcontractors. It specifically addresses discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. This means that employers who engage in federal contracts must actively ensure that their hiring, promotion, and employment policies are free from biases related to these characteristics.

The importance of this order lies in its intention to promote equal employment opportunities and to encourage diversity in the workforce, particularly in industries that receive federal funds. This mandate is foundational for fostering an inclusive environment within workplaces that cater to or are supported by government contracts.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the focus of Executive Order 11246. Discrimination solely based on job performance is not addressed by this executive order, as it pertains to performance metrics rather than equality issues. The prohibition against discrimination against non-citizens is not the scope of this order, which centers on specific characteristics rather than citizenship status. Lastly, while employment advice from agencies may relate to broader employment practices, that concept does not fall under the specific prohibitions outlined in Executive Order 11246. Thus, the correct understanding is that this order explicitly targets discrimination based on particular identity characteristics.