Abstract
The Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (hereinafter “the EEA”) which gives more detailed content to the right of equality enshrined in section 9 of the Constitution of South Africa, compels employers to promote equality in the workplace by eradicating unfair discrimination in employment policies and practices. Unfair discrimination against any employee, whether directly or indirectly, based on that employee’s race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibility, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, HIV status, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture, language or birth is prohibited (s 6(1)).