Which instrument requires employers to plan how they will reach hiring goals for protected groups in government contracts?

• A. Collective bargaining
• B. Affirmative action plan
• C. Arbitration
• D. Hostile work environment

Answer: (B)

In government contracting, the tool that ensures a company actively plans how to reach hiring goals for protected groups is an affirmative action plan. This formal plan lays out recruitment, selection, promotion, and retention strategies, plus specific goals, timetables, and accountability measures to meet equal opportunity requirements for women and minorities in federal contracts. It’s a proactive, monitored process required by laws governing federal contractors. The other options don’t address planning to achieve hiring diversity in the context of government contracts: collective bargaining relates to union negotiations, arbitration resolves disputes, and a hostile work environment pertains to harassment issues.