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Federal Affirmative Employment: Better Guidance Needed for Small Agencies

GGD-94-71 Published: Jul 21, 1994. Publicly Released: Aug 22, 1994.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the representation of women and minorities in the federal workforce, focusing on: (1) 75 federal agencies required to report to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and not covered in previous reports; and (2) the usefulness and clarity of EEOC requirements for affirmative employment planning by these agencies and their compliance with requirements.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission The Chairman, EEOC, should strengthen emphasis of the federal affirmative employment program at small agencies by clarifying the planning and reporting requirements of small agencies.
Closed – Not Implemented
EEOC has not responded to this recommendation. Revised guidance on clarifying the planning and reporting requirements of small agencies was to be addressed in a draft management directive on Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Employment for Minorities, Women, and People With Disabilities. However, the management directive remains in draft and there are no current plans to finalize and publish it, according to the Federal Sector Programs Director.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission The Chairman, EEOC, should strengthen emphasis of the federal affirmative employment program at small agencies by requiring agencies to certify that they are carrying out those requirements and provide some information about their program (for example, agencies could certify on a checksheet whether or not they are complying with each of the planning and reporting requirements).
Closed – Not Implemented
EEOC has not responded to this recommendation. Revised guidance on reporting requirements of small agencies was to be addressed in a draft management directive on Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Employment for Minorities, Women, and People With Disabilities. However, the management directive remains in draft and there are no current plans to finalize and publish it, according to the Federal Sector Programs Director.

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Topics

Civil rights law enforcementEmployee promotionsEmployment of minoritiesFair employment programsFederal employeesHiring policiesMinoritiesReporting requirementsWomenLabor force