if employers are all for equal oppertunities why is it that when you fill out an application form?

It's voluntary for the govt info...If it's on the application and it's not indicating that it's voluntary info than simply put a line through the questions pertaining to it. I still see applications that ask about birthdate too...I just ignore the question as it's illegal to ask it (age discrimination is not legal...yes it happens...but it's not legal). PEACE!

That form is ALWAYS voluntary. It is not required to fill it out. Businesses are required, however, to report to the Department of Labor ethnicity of their work force to determine if the civilian work force is on par with the census figures. Businesses collect the information obtained from those who complete those forms to submit to the DOL. It's not used for selection purposes.

Providing that information is voluntary. The claim is that they use it to statistically track their equal opportunity efforts.

It is optional and twofold:

1. Statistical purposes.

2. For pro-active hiring. ie. two perfectly equally qualified individuals with the same education, work history, etc, one is white, one is black. They will hire the black person in many companies.

Yes, and to avoid lawsuits it says "optional"....On most of them...

But I get your point!!!

Great point...