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Return to Article: EEOC group says agencies should boost Hispanic employment and hiring efforts

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  this is a comment for the civilian worker, October 24, 2008. you posted the following; "Give me a Break! Let them work their way up the ranks just like the American Civilian worker does" Ma'am I appreciate your comment, however, as a Hispanic employee I have been a federal servant for 27 years, I just finally reached the GS-7 level, My experiences are, I was selected as the civilain of the year twice for my installation. I have had to work very hard for what I have earned. I have applied for more than 40 upward mobility positions, I was interviewed, but never selected, I was selected for a GS-5 position after being in a GS-6 position for 3 years, is there a problem? Yes, there is but it is up to us, the Hispanic population to work this issue not you the civilian workers of America. I am very grateful for what I have accomplished. Ma'am, thank you.

  Estela Atkinson Posted January 18, 2009 4:07 PM
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  First why is this article being re-released on 11/6 when apparently it was out 2 weeks ago? A slow news day after the election? Stir the pot some more?

  Maybe I was just lucky. But I have never seen any of these "good ole boy" networks. At least not do any of the discriminating/ favoritism to friends that are listed here. On the other hand I almost had 2 of my employees get within 3 inches of dukeing it out in the office, for perceived incompetence of one of them.

  And still on the other hand, I received a certification for a job from Personnel that included one person from a different location that did not meet the X-118 Handbook minimum requirements of the job series. But I was told, that it didn't matter since she was in that job series already and because the other personnel office made that decision, it would not be contested. I have to wonder if something like an Old Boy's Network was involved.

  Old Geezer. Posted November 6, 2008 2:08 PM
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  If there is discrimination in the hiring process based on the sound of the name (and who reasonably can deny that), there might be a way to fix it. I've been told that you can't ask a person's age/birthdate. I assume asking for the gender is also a no-no. Why not also deny asking for a name? You could have Applicant 1, Applicant 2, etc... This way, there is no possible way of knowing the ethnic background of the person and all you have to base your decision on is: Who has the best qualifications?? I know, I'm probably being very naive but what the heck, could it be much worse than it already is?

  Solution? Posted October 30, 2008 10:39 AM
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  The flaw with EEOC and federal agency affirmative employment goals (as opposed to quotas) is that they use not only the number of Hispanics employed in the public sector, but also include the number of Hispanics LOOKING for work to determine what their employment goals are. The federal government already recruits from Hispanic Serving Institutions which is where we will get the best and brightest who want to work for the federal government. The doors to employment are open now and special recruitment programs and continued focus on the different races only increases our thinking of each other in terms of race and not qualifications. Without these special emphasis efforts we could become the federal workforce of dedicated Americans, not just members of a racial group. I think federal employees are mature, open minded and ready enough to go back to the "melting pot" concept in the workplace where we are bonded together through our mission. The bottom line is that there are complaint procedures in place to take care of those isolated incidents of discrimination.

  Gayle Connelly Posted October 30, 2008 10:35 AM
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  At least the number of Hispanic employees in the federal government has risen over time. The number of federal employees with disabilities has shrunk below 1%, despite the potential influx of disabled veterans over the past five years! Nobody wants to hire or retain employees with disabilities because they think disabilities are contageous and they will, for example, catch blindness!

  FED Up! Posted October 29, 2008 4:44 PM
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  At the risk of sounding racist, does this mean that we will have to learn another language to avoid another kind of discrimination or just to keep our jobs? Don't laugh, it happened in Florida, Texas and California

  Ex-Govie Posted October 29, 2008 12:01 PM
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  In response to David Dean's post that Hispanics are overrepresented by 100 percent, why discriminate anyone from Civil Service just because they happened to be criminals? Just look at our Upper echolon......

  Ex-Govie Posted October 28, 2008 4:30 PM
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  WHY does it have to be about race (Latino or any other)? The federal government recruiting methods are flawed and always have been. The whole government needs to be CHANGED and start over. Since Change is the theme everyone wants... Let's Do It. Hire the best and the brighest not bring 'race' or anything else into it. The best qualified person for a job should get that job. To the Latino who is a veteran/professional and has a current MBA from an Ivy league school, you should not be insulted, you sound qualified for a majority of jobs and areaset up for a great future regardless of being Latino. Why is the U.S. Government paying for reports like this that just frustrate? Realize these articles are just someone's opinion and don't get frustrated. Life is too short, change careers and start new if you don't like what you're doing or the people you're working for or with. Take these articles and comments as a grain of salt.. Is this all going to matter when you're 80?

  Just Business Posted October 28, 2008 1:08 PM
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  Let's be honest. Anyone who doesn't subscribe to the PC point of view is excoriated as a racist. I do believe there are qualilfied hispanics out there for many Fed job opportunities, but I don't believe they should go to the head of the line because they are hispanic. If there is true racism, sexism, etc. in some parts of some agencies (don't paint us all with the same broad brush please), that should absolutely be addressed. I see management as the problem, not the co-workers attitude toward someone cutting in line.

  a taxpayer and a federal worker Posted October 28, 2008 11:15 AM
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  A number of the comments concerning the issue of Hispanic employment in the Federal government illustrate very clearly why EEO programs are still necessary. In addition to expressing a bias against inclusion and diversity in general and against Hispanics specifically, the comments are ill-informed.

  The GAO report on Hispanic Employment in the Federal workforce (GAO-06-832) did not conclude or "clearly" document that Hispanics are overrepresented in the government. It actually identified citizenship and education requirements as barriers to addressing their under representation in government. Furthermore, responsible efforts to address this under representation do not argue for hiring or promoting unqualified persons but do advocate for the improvement of recruitment efforts and the elimination of unnecessary barriers to employment.

  Most thinking people understand that statistically speaking, the under representation of Hispanics within the government can only be due to systemic bias in the government's hiring and personnel system. In addition, employers in this country, the Federal government included, face a critical shortage in skilled labor in the very near future. Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. It makes good business sense to make sure they are prepared to play a role in resolving that shortage and for the government to be prepared to welcome them into its workforce.

  Ralph Torres Posted October 28, 2008 10:43 AM
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  What a sad day in America to read some of these responses (in a magazine called "Government Executive") to an effort that was well intended. Is this what our government executives are truly thinking?

  Where does all this animosity for Hispanics/Latinos come from? Moreover, why would anyone even write such ignorant comments?

  We -Hispanics/Latinos- are some of the best and brightest in this Nation!!!!!

  Look around you. We are veterans, doctors, attorneys, judges, politicians, educators, inventors, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, builders/architects, artists, musicians, actors, clothes designers, chefs, caretakers, law enforcement officers....must I go on!!!

  We are not asking that Federal rules and regulations be changed! We just want to be given an opportunity to be at the table just like everyone else!

  And the theme these days is "CHANGE."

  Who are we kidding...by the look at these responses...America is far from wanting change as well as equity and equality.

  People please get informed.

  RECOGNIZE the wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities we, Hispanics/Latinos have. You enjoy and accept our ethnic cuisine, you dance and listen to our music and visit our rich Latin American countries but you won't accept us, as American people in the Federal government???

  REALIZE - Hispanics/Latinos are here to stay, we aren't going anywhere.

  Oh, P/S... For the individual who wrote "... there are not enough Hispanics who are veterans..." in 2006 alone, there were 1.1 million veterans serving this Nation. I can only image how many have served in prior years to 2006 and present.

  In closing....

  When Mohandas Gandhi was asked "What do you think of Western civilization?" He replied, "I think it would be a very good idea."

  BE INFORMED, RESPECTFUL and INCLUSIVE!

  Looking at history --- TRUTHFULLY..My ANCESTORS were here first! :) Posted October 27, 2008 4:10 PM
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  Those complaining about the ways to address Latino underrepresentation might affect/impede their hiring process are making unfair assumptions about Latino candidates. Why assume that goals to hire more Latinos into federal government would result in lesser qualified candidates? The truth I've noticed at the federal agency I work for is that recruiting methods are flawed in the diversity factor. Where we advertise, outside of USA jobs, has a lot to do with the racial pool of applicants. I've taken it upon my self to help advertise our jobs in the local universities and --like magic--we suddently have increased workforce diversity resulting from (dare I say it?) highly qualified minority applicants. Our applicants and hiring are now resulting in a more balanced applicant & hiring pool because there are more diverse groups to pick from. The balancing is happening on its own because we began to advertise to a diverse audience. Maybe if more human resources officials took it upon themselves to engage in these balanced recruitment efforts, the EEOC discussion would not be necessary. It's too bad that such a positive workforce analysis is resulting in such negative feedback from some of those that who could have avoided the need for the discussion.

  Elizabeth Posted October 27, 2008 3:02 PM
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  Why? Shouldn't the most QUALIFIED people be recruited to work for the federal government? Ethnicity should have nothing to do with it. Are they advocating discrimination in hiring other races of people so that hispanics/latinos can come in, no matter what their qualifications? This is very, very sad.

  Kathy Posted October 27, 2008 1:52 PM
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  I survived 16 years' of the infamous unofficial "Ole Boys network"'s underhanded and discriminatory policies, of which I didn't not belong since I wasn't an "ole boy". At the end of the 16 years I earned an engineering degree but was forced out because my "good ole boy" boss was humiliated at my success and tried to force a demotion on me as a twisted means of preserving his pride. Nobody in the agency dared to call this discrimination, although I was the first woman to earn an engineering degree by going at night and the first one ever to be asked to take a two grade demotion. Question is, what is the EEOC doing for me or anybody who is not Hispanic that is getting discriminated against?

  Ex-Govie Posted October 27, 2008 1:00 PM
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  All these comments in my opinion are all racists and discriminatory. I am one of those so called "Hispanics" working for the Federal Government. As I agree that people should be considered for their experience/expertise - THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE FED. GOVMT. I see more and more managers hiring the "daughter/son" of their counterparts. I see more favoritism rather than fair competition. Maybe you have to be in "our shoes" to experience the discrimination. I have 27 years in the Fed. Govmt, have a Masters Degree and was in a position for 2 years (without being compensated financially); compete for the vacant position 3 times (while Management waited for a person in the office to get her paperwork straight so she can fill some requirements for the position) and she got selected. Then, if you file a discrimination complain you get label in your organization and you can forget about getting any other position some place else, because HR will make sure that the gaining organization will be awared that you complained about something. So, as you can see - discrimination still exists. I thought before that it didn't exists. But yes, it is there and it is more clear and visible than ever! I want to be selected for a job not because I am Hispanic but for what can I offer - experience and an education to back me up. It hasn't happened yet.....

  Alicia Posted October 27, 2008 11:46 AM
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  Unfortunately, if all of the supervisors in the federal sector with hiring authority thought like Marie then such initiatives wouldn't be necessary. However, the reality is that most of them don't - thus justifying the need for these types of hiring initiatives in the public sector. The employment data speaks loudly.

  Veronica Posted October 27, 2008 11:13 AM
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  I am a Mexican-American, I have over 45 years of experience working in the federal government, both military and Civil Service. When I was in the military we took tests to measure our quualifications. I progressed along with and sometimes left some of my peers behind, both white and hispanics. This all ceased since I retired and joined the civil service. I have witnessed outright favoriteism in favor of non-hispanics when filling vacant positions. I have noticed a very popular misconception that an applicant who is non-hispanic and has a degree in their hip pocket, makes them "better quallified". Contrary to this popular belief, I have seen and still witness some of the dumbest employees that are in fact not best quallified. Can you tell who you would hire all other things being equal, a white, hispanic or black? It is easy to yell from one's ivory tower on hiring the best qualilfied, when if fact most are hired via favoritism and prejudice. Just by looking at the comments from others confirms my suspicions that not the brightest hold positions of responsibility especially when they are ashamed or "qualified" enough to put their names by their comments!

  fernando martinez Posted October 27, 2008 11:06 AM
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  While efforts to rectify this issue are laudable, the article neglects to state a primary reason for the underrepresentation. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for most federal jobs and is a cause of much of the underrepresentation. Is that requirement going to be suspended or removed?

  M. Castro Posted October 27, 2008 10:38 AM
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  We are having difficulty finding qualified people in my career field. Now you are saying that we need to give a group of individuals (Hispanics) jobs for which they may not qualify for based on ethnicity. The best qualified person for a job should get that job, what benefit is it to a supervisor to select an unqualified person just because they are Hispanic (or any other "minority"). How can a supervisor get the job done when 99% of the time will be spent trying to get the person to do quality work based on the skills, knowledge and abilities required for the position. What happened to hiring people based on these rather than just hiring a quota?

  Sue Posted October 27, 2008 6:39 AM
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  Why is the U.S. Government paying for reports like this that just frustrate those who are trying to fill positions with the best qualified for the job? This stuff just kills my spirt. Programs that focus on race and gender should have no place in the U.S. Government. Discrimination should not be tolerated in any form. Let's get to work people and stop trying to divide us by race and gender. People (Americans) work for CBP, BP, and CIS jobs because they want to work in those positions. If you want to work for NASA or for other agencies all you need to do is apply and be the best qualified.

  frustrated Posted October 26, 2008 10:34 PM
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  The Hispanic population of the United States is approximately 12%. Only (4) percent of the 12 percent are legal residents. The remaining are illegal aliens, AKA as criminals. The Hispanic percentage of the federal work force is eight (8) percent. Hispanics are over represented by 100 percent.

  David Dean Posted October 25, 2008 4:06 PM
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  More skewed statistics, just like there is a higher percentage of women in higher grades. When you ELIMINATE or CONTRACT OUT the lower grades of course the stats will change. This is just more bologna!

  ritgar Posted October 24, 2008 5:58 PM
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  Now that just figures. Hiring should be based on qualifications regardless of what your ethnic background is. We have too many in our country now that cannot speak English (it is our language), and now can't even purchase retail merchandise without having to read it in Spanish. What's next, an announcement going ahead and telling us all our Social Security is now not available and is being forwarded to Hispanics. Enough said, the hard working Americans are now minorities without a safety net.

  John Posted October 24, 2008 4:42 PM
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  Oh, don't forget to start hiring disabled people. That is the deal

  FEDERAL Posted October 24, 2008 2:51 PM
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  Perhaps the Federal Hispanic Work Group can get a grassroots message out to the Hispanic community to let people know where to look for job opportunities. This needs to be extended to all groups who are under represented. However. all applicants must be aware that only the best qualified will be hired. I have participated in many a federal job fair and repeatedly have someone who, based upon their ethnic background only, are expecting a free ride to being hired ahead of other qualified individuals. I've also been challenged that since I am a white male, people from other ethnic backgrounds are not comfortable even approaching me and said we need more diverse representation at the table---but the union blocks folks from being assigned to this duty.

  Fact is, the agency can only ask for volunteers to do the job fairs and since it involves extra effort, most of my coworkers tend to avoid raising their hand and adding to their workload. I volunteer because I am very aware that, after years of not hiring and downsizing, this agency needs to harvest the best we can to ensure very qualified folks are available to carry on its mission.

  It is time to get rid of the '60s mentality that too many EEO officials wave as their banner. Hire the best qualified!

  Sam Spade Posted October 24, 2008 2:43 PM
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  I thought they were only coming for the jobs Americans don't want; oh that's the illegals. The government doesn't hire illegals, just ask Border Patrol. We need to elect Obama then this whole affirmative action stuff can go by the wayside. How can you say your being looked over when the president of the most powerful nation is a minority. If it doesn't go by the wayside, I will be then be Hispanic. How can you deny someone being Hispanic, because you don't look or talk a stereotypical way. Viva EEO! Were all Hispanics!!

  P Coffeen Posted October 24, 2008 1:44 PM
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  I agree. I don't care what ethnicity group you belong to, if you're the most qualified then you get the job. Just because you might belong to a group that is say 3.5% represented in the workforce, maybe it's because there aren't that many from your group that made the cut. Don't assume that it is because of your race.

  Dan Posted October 24, 2008 1:02 PM
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  Lets cut to the chase and hire Americans, individuals that are legal and speak English fluently who are the best qualified for the job. Individuals who are borne in this country, pay taxes, and register for the military because they believe in this country. Not those who are here for the benefits and cry because they don't have. Or we can continue to lower our standards as those who represent us have and give away the goods to those who don't deserve.

  eglefeather Posted October 24, 2008 12:15 PM
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  Wow, these posts are scary. As a Latino veteran/professional and current MBA candidate from an Ivy league school I am really insulted. These comments do not reflect the reality that the Federal government needs to reach out to Latino professionals that may not be aware of the jobs that are available. No one is saying the federal government needs to hire illegals (that was a ridiculous comment, BTW). What the government needs to do is attract the most qualified diverse workforce it can.

  RJL Posted October 24, 2008 12:00 PM
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  The Federal Government needs to recruit and hire the most qualified people regardless of ethnicity. Discrimination in hiring practices is one thing, but to suggest that our government should prefer one group over another is insulting.

  nathan wolfson Posted October 24, 2008 11:01 AM
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  Oh my. Another program with a laudable goal becomes part of the morass of rules, regs, and the underlying LAWS that, depending on your point of view, "guide" us in hiring or "hamstring" us in hiring. HR is not supposed to be 7-layer nachos, it needs to be MUCH simpler. The laudable goal in this articla will become something for many to complain about concerning the reverse discrimination or some such term that will have to come about to make it work. Those existing laws, regs, and rules need to be combed through and revised, and some compromise set up concerning the problem of having the vets group tie up the cert for every entry level position. We do need to hire vets, but why make EVERY SINGLE fill request subject to those requirements? Why can't we compromise on the laws and be able to draw some certs with non-vets, some of those well qualified/educated people who would love to come to work for us? INCLUDING members of the various ethnic/culteral groups that make up this country. We already track EEO stats and know where underrepresentation occurs. We already have a good working military spouse preference program, we don't need clog that up either with Prez B's ill-considered pop-off pronouncement that we also must hire all the family members too! HR comes under enough undeserved fire, but still these "great" new program ideas on how to favor another specific group will gum it up more. BTW, those sparkling ideas invariably come from people who just don't understand how our processes or LAWS work and cannot stand to recognize the expertise of people who really know what we do. But they can sure make campaign speeches out of "their" efforts to improve our work - for crying out loud, go home and let us get things done properly and legally without that kind of intrusion!

  AF HR Posted October 24, 2008 10:42 AM
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  And we wonder why this country is headed down the tubes! Economically, the country is spiralling downward because our liberal politicians wanted to give everyone the "right" to own a house, whether they could actually afford it or not. Now we need to gove everyone a high paying job, whether they qualify or not. Idealogically, this is the same issue. The best qualified person for a job should get that job - as a supervisor, what benefit is it to me to select an unqualified person just because they are NOT Hispanic (or any other "minority"). But, I don't want to be told that I HAVE to select anyone other than the best qualified.

  Marie Posted October 24, 2008 10:35 AM
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  What a crock! It was not all that long ago that GAO clearly documented the fact that Hispanics are actually overrepresented in the government when citizenship and education are considered. Reports like this serve only to destroy whatever credibility EEOC might have previously had and, of course, this loss of credibility will weaken the ability of EEOC to make a valid case, should EEOC ever have one to make.

  Jefferson John Posted October 24, 2008 10:06 AM
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  While I totally agree with EEOC, the fact is that veterans preference has priority over hiring Hispanics. There are not enough Hispanics who are veterans (to allow agencies to hire them via veterans preference). Hispanic men are only 5.1% of vets and Hispanic women only 0.6% of vets. I am sure no one is suggesting that we eliminate or over-ride vet preference.

  Does anyone know why OPM has been silent on this issue?

  Charis Posted October 24, 2008 9:03 AM
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  Next we will be hiring the illegal Mexicans. Instead of lowering standards how about telling the slighted to raise theirs. I haven't met anyone in my tenure who purposely hires based on their race. Hiring is based on who applies and their talent level. Everbody wants to be spoon feed.

  Rich L. Posted October 24, 2008 8:54 AM
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  Here's a crazy idea. How about we improve the system to hire the best and the brighest and stop trying to segment government employment into specific races and or classes of people, something that can only further create an illusion of the quota system. I don't care if you are white, black, hispanic, or green for that matter, if you are the best for the job then you get a job. If not, you don't. Maybe the money spent to create EEOC groups could be better spent on hiring efficiency, not hints at mandated hiring targets.

  Steve Posted October 24, 2008 7:59 AM
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  Sure, let's increase Hispanics in the federal workforce, but I most certainly and adamantly oppose lessening or loosening any federal job requirements in order for a few oppositions groups to feel they have another accomplishment under their belt. If you apply for a federal position, or any position, you must go through the same requirements as everyone else, based on education and additional pre-requisite experience. Without these conditions of merit, what accomplishment have [we] achieved other than to continue the negative stereotypical stigma that plagues public opinion already.

  FedUp Posted October 24, 2008 7:24 AM
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  LEGAL Hispanics! Give me a Break! Let them work their way up the ranks just like the American Civilian worker does!

  Civilian Worker Posted October 24, 2008 7:00 AM
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  What is the definition of a hispanic? Do have to have a name that is hispanic sounding (see Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson who calls himself hispanic); do you have a DNA test; do need to speak spanish fluently in test circumstance; do you need to eat hispanic foods 7 days a week for all meals; do you need to be a legal citizen; do you need to watch only univision; do you need to look a certain way that judges x, y, and z can pick you out of a crowd as hispanic. Is it like pornography, I know it when I see it? I don't get it. How do you tell how many hispanics you got?

  TDK Posted October 23, 2008 6:29 PM