Although the Civil Service Commission (CSC) established an extensive system for processing individual discrimination complaints, many aspects of the system need improvement.

At nine federal agencies and departments, the planning and actions taken to make sure that discrimination complaint system objectives are met can be improved in several areas: (1) management commitment; (2) structure within the agency; and (3) determining financial resources required and analyzing staff needs and qualifications. The nine agencies reviewed did not have reliable data on the costs of operating their discrimination complaints systems and governmentwide cost data were not adequate. A variety of problems regarding fairness and impartiality, timeliness, and complaint resolution were noted. Neither CSC nor the agencies reviewed have adequately reviewed and evaluated the discrimination complaint systems. Sound reviews and evaluations were not possible because adequate data were lacking.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Recommendation for Executive Action

Recommendation: The Chairman, CSC, should emphasize that agencies should properly plan and implement their discrimination complaint systems. The Chairman and the heads of the nine agencies reviewed should take action to improve their reviews and evaluations of complaint systems. The Chairman should also develop criteria for and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of agencies' complaint systems that consider qualitative and cost aspects in addition to timeliness consideration.

Agency Affected:

Status: Closed

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