The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      CONTACT:   Mark Wong
January 14, 2009                                                      David Grinberg
                                                                      (202) 663-4191
                                                               TTY:   (202) 663-4494

EEOC REPORT ADDRESSES 21ST CENTURY FEDERAL HISPANIC EMPLOYMENT ISSUES

Low Participation at Higher Levels; Lack of Retention

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released a comprehensive report to Chair Naomi C. Earp from the Federal Hispanic Work Group. The report contains an extensive number of practical recommendations that address a broad array of contemporary federal sector employment issues, including hiring, leadership development and retention. The full report, entitled Report on the Hispanic Employment Challenge in the Federal Government, is available on the agency’s web site at www.eeoc.gov/federal/report/hwg.html.

“I’ve identified a significant number of short- and long-term recommendations in the report for achievement, and I’ve asked that the Office of Federal Operations take the lead in our implementation efforts,” EEOC Chair Earp said. “These actions are long overdue and will help agencies remove barriers and create greater opportunities for Hispanic applicants and employees throughout the federal government.”

Among the key recommendations formulated by the Hispanic Work Group selected for implementation are the following:

Include EEO/diversity requirements in all hiring officials’ critical performance elements;
Establish a consortium of federal agencies whose mission-critical occupations include science, technology, engineering and mathematics to coordinate recruitment efforts;
Develop a Hispanic Media Outreach Strategy and branding tool to assist agencies in marketing various types of federal employment;
Better utilize intern programs;
Create a government-wide mentoring program; and
Create full-time Hispanic Employment Program Manager positions to address Hispanic employment initiatives and programs.

The Work Group was initially formed by Chair Earp, in partnership with Social Security Administration Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, on May 21, 2008. The Work Group was charged with formulating recommendations to enhance and refocus federal Hispanic employment plans, remove barriers and level the playing field to encourage greater opportunities for Hispanic applicants and employees in the federal sector.

The EEOC monitors federal agency compliance with equal employment opportunity laws and procedures. Further information about the Commission’s work with federal agencies and employees is available on the agency’s main web site at www.eeoc.gov/federal/index/html.

This page was last modified on January 14, 2009.

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