In 1984, Abella was appointed as the sole Commissioner of the 1984 federal Royal Commission on Equality in Employment, coining the term and concept of "employment equity", a strategy for reducing barriers in employment faced by women, visible minorities, people with disabilities, and Aboriginal peoples. The theories of "equality" and "discrimination" that were developed in the Report were adopted by the Canadian Supreme Court in its first decision regarding equality rights under the "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms" in 1989. The recommendations outlined in report were adopted by other countries including, New Zealand, South Africa, and Northern Ireland.