Definitions for "Underrepresented"
Underrepresented, as an adjective, describes groups whose presence in critical organizations, such as government, educational institutions, professions, etc., is disproportionately small in comparison to the general population distribution of persons with similar characteristics. The term first appeared in 1884 in describing the role of emancipated slaves in local, state, and federal government following the American Civil War.
having fewer protected class employees in a job classification than would be reasonably expected by their availability in the relevant labor force.