In 1999, after having been advised by the Commission for Employment Equity,  the Department of Labour issued the ‘Code of Good Practice for the preparation, implementation and monitoring of employment equity plans’. Although not imposing any legal obligations, the Code must be taken into account by designated employers. Additionally the Department of Labour issued a ‘User Guide to the EEA;’ a document detailing how the employment equity plan can be prepared and implemented in ten steps.

Sections 8.3 of the Code of Good Practice provides examples of affirmative action measures which can be implemented to achieve employment equity. Such measures included range from investing in communities to instilling bridging programmes, and from creating an enabling environment for disabled workers and those with family responsibilities, to providing flexible working hours or accessible working areas.