PARITY:
A condition achieved in an organization when the protected class composition of its work force is equal to that in the relevant available labor force.

PRIMA FACIE:
A legal presumption that arises from a basic showing of facts which will control a decision unless explicitly proved untrue. In the EEO area, statistics of under utilization have been sufficient to make a prima facie case for discrimination. It is then the responsibility of the employer to justify those statistics.

PROTECTED CLASSES:
Groups identified in Executive Order 6 (minorities, women, disabled persons and Vietnam Era Veterans) that are specifically protected against employment discrimination.