EEOC Report on Obstacles Faced by Black Federal Employees

The EEOC has just issued its "African American Workgroup Report," which paints a picture of the many obstacles faced by black federal workers.  The report is organized around seven main obstacles, with background information and recommendations for each.  The obstacles:

• Unconscious biases and perceptions about African Americans still play a significant role in employment decisions in the federal sector.
• African Americans lack adequate mentoring and networking opportunities for higher level and management positions.
• Insufficient training and development assignments perpetuate inequalities in skills and opportunities for African Americans.
• Narrow recruitment methods negatively impact African Americans.
• The perception of widespread inequality among African Americans in the federal workforce hinders their career advancement.
• Educational requirements create obstacles for African Americans in the federal workforce.
• EEO regulations and laws are not adequately followed by agencies and are not effectively enforced.

You can also read the Washington Post's take on the report here.

-JH