EEOC TO FOCUS ON HISPANIC FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AT NEXT COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY, OCT. 23

Hispanic Work Group to Issue Report, Discuss Recommendations

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), at agency headquarters, 1801 L Street, N.W.  In accordance with the Sunshine Act, the meeting is open for public observation of the Commission's deliberations.

Following the announcement of notation votes, the Commission will hear from invited panelists on issues facing Hispanics in federal sector employment.  As part of the panel presentations, outlined below, the Federal Hispanic Work Group will release its report to EEOC Chair Naomi C. Earp  with recommendations that address the key issues of leadership development, hiring, and the retention of Hispanics in the federal sector.

The work group, which represents a cross-section of agencies, was formed by Chair Earp in May 2008 in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Michael J. Astrue.  The work group, under the leadership of Veronica E. Villalobos as chair, has proposed a 21st century Federal Hispanic Employment Project to promote and advocate for broader employment opportunities for citizens of Hispanic descent.   

Panel 1: The Status of Hispanics in Federal Employment: Changing Demographics, Labor Market Growth and Employment Outlook

• Carlton M. Hadden, Director, Office of Federal Operations, EEOC.
• Jeffrey S. Passel, Senior Demographer, Pew Hispanic Center.
• Sally Jaggar, Senior Consultant, Education and Outreach, Partnership for Public Service.

Panel 2: The Realities and Barriers Faced by Hispanics in the Federal Sector

• Bernardo M. Perez, Class Representative, Perez, et al. v. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Beatrice Pacheco, Associate Director, Equal Employment Opportunity Programs, Departmental       Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

Panel 3: EEO Best Practices and the Federal Hispanic Work Group Recommendations

• Eugenio Ochoa Sexton, Director, Recruiting and Diversity, Department of Homeland Security.
• Ramón Surís Fernández, Esq., Director, Civil Rights Center, Department of Labor.
• Felicita Sola-Carter, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources, SSA.

NOTE TO NEWS MEDIA:  Reporters, photographers and/or camera crews planning to attend the Commission Meeting should RSVP as soon as possible due to space limitations, procedural clearances and seating capacity.  Please contact David Grinberg at 202-663-4191 or david.grinberg@eeoc.gov.

Any matter not discussed or concluded may be carried over to a later meeting.  The Commission agenda is subject to revision.  You may call (202) 663-7100 (voice) or (202) 663-4074 (TTY) on the day of the Commission Meeting to confirm the above schedule.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Additional information about the Commission is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.