DOL’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Rachel Torres- Co-Chair, DOL Diversity and Inclusion Council

US DOL Agency Forum

Blacks in Government

38th Annual National Training Institute

• Workplace Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)

• DOL’s Diversity and Inclusion Mission

• D&I Council: History, Purpose, Initiatives

• D&I Strategic Plan

• Video: Navigating Bias in the Workplace

• Video Discussion

• Open Forum Q&A

TOPICS for TODAY

What is your “Place in the World?”

“Our Nation derives strength from the diversity of its population and from its commitment to equal opportunity for all. We are at our best when we draw on the talents of all parts of our society, and our greatest accomplishments are achieved when diverse perspectives are brought to bear to overcome our greatest challenges.”

President Barack Obama- August 18, 2011

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Let’s Discuss…What are Diversity and Inclusion?

Why and how are these important at DOL?

What is Diversity?

A collection of individual attributes that helps agencies pursue organizational objectives efficiently and effectively.

These include, but are not limited to, characteristics such as national origin, language, race, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and family structures.

The concept also encompasses differences among people concerning where they are from and where they have lived and their differences of thought and life experiences. Hiring Excellence, OPM

WORKPLACE DIVERSITY

What is Inclusion?

A set of behaviors (culture) that encourages employees to feel valued for their unique qualities and experience a sense of belonging. OPM Government-wide Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan, 2016 (OPM.GOV)

A culture that connects each employee to the organization; encourages collaboration, flexibility and fairness; and leverages diversity throughout the organization so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.OPM, Hiring Excellence

WORKPLACE INCLUSION

To have a workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation – the wage earners, job seekers, retirees, families and communities that its our mission to help.

To ensure that we’ve created a culture (at DOL) that makes this possible….to encourage the collaboration, flexibility, fairness and sense of mutual respect that enables individuals to contribute to their full potential.

DOL’S DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION

“Diversity is being invited to the dance. Inclusion is

being asked to dance.”Secretary Thomas Perez, US Department of Labor

• Town Halls/Listening sessions with employees, Affinity Groups and Unions to discuss concerns

• Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey – scores related to D&I show employee dissatisfaction

• Secretary announces commitment to create a “cultural shift” at DOL; Emphasizes commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in the DOL workforce and importance of institutionalizing D&I for coming administrations and workers. Administration takes action:

• IdeaMill

• ROAD Opportunities

• Workplace Flexibilities Pilots and Changes

• D&I Town Hall and Formation of D&I Council

• Behavior Matters Initiative

• Mentoring Program

DEVELOPMENT of DOL D&I INITIATIVESEmployees Speak/Administration Listens

HISTORY:

• Executive Order 13583, “Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce.” (2011)

• All federal agencies ordered to “develop and implement agency specific Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plans for recruiting, hiring, training, developing, advancing, promoting, and retaining a diverse workforce…”

• Goal to promote the Federal workplace as a model of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Establishment of DOL Office of Diversity and Inclusion (2011)

• DOL Diversity and Inclusion Council established on January 12, 2016

FORMATION of DOL D&I COUNCIL

The Diversity and Inclusion Council serves as an independent executive level body that provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Labor on areas related to diversity and inclusion (D&I). It serves as a communication link between the workforce, sub-agencies, and DOL leadership and also as a clearinghouse on D&I issues.

http://www.labornet.dol.gov/me/ODI/diversity-and-inclusion-council.htm

PURPOSE of D&I COUNCIL

RESPONSIBILITIES of D&I COUNCIL

• Foster and recommend initiatives to promote an inclusive environment where all employees have the opportunity to achieve personal growth while contributing to the overall success of the mission of the Department.

• Identify strategies and recommendations to recruit, hire, retain and promote a diverse workforce.

• Provide advice and counsel to the Secretary of Labor, senior leaders, human resource managers, hiring managers, and supervisors on best practices and innovative approaches to promote diversity and inclusion in the workforce.

• Provide an opportunity for the agencies to offer input and feedback on the Department’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

• Provide input on the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and related strategies of the Department to retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce, consistent with merit system principles and applicable law.

• Facilitate communications to improve awareness about diversity and inclusion issues and initiatives throughout the Department.

• All Council members are current employees of DOL and appointed by Secretary of Labor or designated by their Union

• Council Co-Chairs – 1 political appointee and 1 career federal employee

• 18 total members currently representing Agencies, Department and Unions

• Functional Representatives – Voting members of the Council; Serve 2 year terms with the possibility of renewal

• Designated Representatives – Non-voting members; Serve as permanent advisors to the Council

COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

CURRENT D&I COUNCIL MEMBERS

FUNCTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Rachel Torres, Co-Chair, WHD

Leonard Howie, Co-Chair, OWCP

Latifa Lyles, WB

Patricia Shiu, OFCCP

Dorothy Dougherty, OSHA

Patricia Silvey, MSHA

Rajesh Nayak, OSEC

Nancy Ruiz de Gamboa, BLS

Stanley Keen, SOL

Deborah Perry, EBSA

Elizabeth Small, AFGE, Local 12

Wenomia Person, NCFLL

Wendell McGee, Jr., OLMS/NULI

DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES

Sydney Rose – HRC

Paul Plasencia –ODI

Jennifer Sheehy – ODEP

Naomi Barry-Perez, CRC

Susan Harthill - SOL

• Hold regular public meetings

• Public meetings open to all DOL employees

• Meeting schedule and agendas on D&I Council website on LaborNet (http://www.labornet.dol.gov/me/ODI/diversity-and-inclusion-council.htm)

• Next meeting scheduled tentatively for Thursday, September 8

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Five public meetings held since establishment of Council

Council meeting topics and activities have included:

• Establishment of ROAD Detail

• Council’s support for and role in Affinity Group activities

• Listening sessions with Affinity Groups

• Focus on awareness of implicit bias:

o Training by Dr. Binaji, 12/2015; Dr. Binaji 2.0 video, 2016

o Presentation on implicit bias - ODEP

• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Initiative, DOL Pride

• Establishment of Office of Employee Engagement

• Development of D&I Strategic Plan

COUNCIL ACTIVITIES and INITIATIVES

• Development of Plan in process – recently went through first round of departmental clearance

• Plan lays out ambitious strategies and activities to achieve 3 strategic goals: Workforce Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability.

• Diversity – Recruit from a diverse, qualified group of potential applicants to secure a high performing workforce from all segments of society.

• Inclusion – Cultivate a culture that encourages collaboration, flexibility and fairness to enable individuals to contribute to their full potential and further retention.

• Sustainability – Develop structures and strategies to equip leaders with the ability to manage diversity, be accountable, measure results, refine approaches on the basis of such data, and institutionalize a culture of inclusion.

DOL D&I STRATEGIC PLAN

• Implicit Bias pilot with Agencies

• Establishment of Office of Employee Engagement

• Continued discussion about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Initiative

• New ROAD Detail(s) – Currently posted

Project Manager for DOL D&I Council

POSTING ID # OASAM-120,

Telework eligible

Closing 8/31/16

NEW and UPCOMING ACTIVITIES and INITIATIVES

You are on a “Cultural Hunt.”

Using your hand-out, find someone in attendance who has done each activity and write his/her name in the square.

You have 10 minutes!

GROUP ACTIVITY

“Navigating Bias in the Workplace,” Dr. Mahzarin Banaji

To be followed by discussion.

VIDEO PRESENTATION

OPEN FORUM Q&A