the deleterious effect that certain hiring procedures or selection criteria may have on the employment chances of those in a protected class. For example, testing for competence in written English might have an adverse impact on recent immigrants; such testing should therefore be avoided unless this skill is a bona fide occupational qualification. Also called disparate impact. See also Griggs v. Duke Power Co.griggs-v-duke-power-co; Uniform Guidelines for Employee Selection Procedures.