positive action

{{Short description|Promotion of an under-represented group}}

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{{refimprove|date=June 2021}}

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Positive action consists of measures which are targeted at protected groups in order to enable or encourage members of those groups to overcome or minimise disadvantage; or to meet the different needs of the

protected group; or to enable or encourage persons in protected groups to participate in an activity. In contrast to affirmative action, there is no element of compulsion in positive action.{{Cite web |title=Positive Action vs Positive Discrimination |url=https://www.michaelmauro.co.uk/thought-leadership/positive-action-vs-positive-discrimination#:~:text=Scope:%20Affirmative%20action%20tends%20to,field%20without%20giving%20outright%20preference. |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=Consultancy Michael Mauro |language=en-GB}}

In the United Kingdom in the Equality Act 2010 ss. 158-159, the term is used in the context of employment to allow selection of a candidate from an "under-represented" group, so long as he or she is no less than equally qualified compared to another potential candidate that is not from the under-represented group.