EEOC CHAIR DOMINGUEZ TO STEP DOWN AT TERM'S END

Second-Longest Serving Chair Oversaw Record Enforcement and Outreach, and Strategic Advances and Efficiencies

     

WASHINGTON – Cari M. Dominguez, Chair of the U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), announced today that she will step  down on Aug. 31, 2006, at the end of a five-year term during which she has  overseen record enforcement of workplace discrimination laws and outreach, and  repositioned the agency for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

     

“We have worked very hard over the last five years to  preserve and promote the values that make our Nation so strong and unique.  Our example of a society that relies on  access and inclusion for its economic and social success inspires others to  believe.  Our work is not done, but we  have made significant progress, and I’m very proud of our many  accomplishments.  The credit all goes to  a hardworking team of dedicated public servants with whom I have had the  privilege to serve at the Commission, and to President Bush for his support of  our efforts.” 

     

Ms. Dominguez was nominated by  President Bush to chair the EEOC, unanimously confirmed by the Senate, and  sworn in on Aug. 6, 2001.  As Chair, she moved swiftly to enhance the Commission’s  enforcement programs, customer service orientation, internal efficiency and  fiscal responsibility. Under her  leadership, the EEOC developed a five-point plan, which charts a course of  action that emphasizes proactive prevention, proficient resolution, expansion  of mediation, strategic enforcement and litigation, and organizational  excellence.

     

Her term has been characterized by an unprecedented high number of training  and outreach programs; a sharp increase in signed mediation agreements with  record numbers of disputes settled through mediation; and a historically low  inventory of pending charges due to prompt and proficient resolution. In addition, strategic enforcement and  litigation efforts have resulted in an increase of merit findings with record  benefits. She also focused on improving the federal sector complaint processing  system, leading to significantly reduced average processing time for federal  sector hearings and appeals.

     

During her tenure, a number of initiatives were launched, including the  Commission’s annual Freedom to Compete Awards designed to showcase best  employment practices; an aggressive campaign to advance the President’s New  Freedom Initiative in the area of employment for individuals with disabilities;  and accelerated outreach to small businesses, for which the Commission was  awarded the Small Business Administration’s highest rating for compliance  assistance.

     

To enhance delivery of services and improve the efficiency of operations,  Chair Dominguez implemented a repositioning plan of the agency’s field  structure in January 2006. The plan  streamlined the management structure while increasing front line staff and  expanding the agency’s presence to high growth areas such as Mobile, Alabama  and Las Vegas, Nevada. None of the existing fifty-one offices were closed and  no one was laid off in the process. She  also made fiscal responsibility a priority, leading to the Commission’s first  ever independent audit in 2003, and an unqualified opinion from independent  auditors in 2004 and 2005.

     

Shortly after taking office, Chair  Dominguez averted an expected month-long furlough by directly intervening and  ensuring the inclusion of EEOC in a supplemental federal spending bill. She also oversaw vigorous efforts to support  employees and their families amid the destruction of two major offices, in New York through 9/11 and in New Orleans through Hurricane Katrina.

     

Ms. Dominguez previously served from  1989-1993 in the U.S. Department of Labor as Assistant Secretary for Employment  Standards and as Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance  Programs. In the latter capacity, she launched  and led the Labor Department's "Glass Ceiling Initiative," designed  to remove invisible barriers from the workplace. Her extensive private sector experience  includes senior positions as a corporate executive, international executive  search and management consultant, and business owner.

     

Ms. Dominguez is well known for her  long-term interest in coaching and mentoring youth and individuals in career  transition, as well as for forging alliances and building networks across  groups from diverse sectors and ideologies in support of equal opportunity  efforts. Among her many contributions,  she has served on the Leadership Foundation Board of the International Women’s  Forum whose mission is to prepare high potential women for senior leadership  positions. She also helped found a K-8  school in Olney, Maryland and served as its first chair of  the board. In addition, she has received  numerous awards and recognitions, including being listed as one of the “100  Most Influential Hispanics in the Country” by Hispanic Business Magazine, and  one of the “Two Thousand Most Notable American Women” by the American  Biographical Institute. National Image  Inc. presented her with the Chairman’s 2002 Award for Excellence. In 2003, Loma Linda University conferred upon her the  honororary degree of Doctor of Humanitarian Service. In 2005, she received the Spelman College  Legacy of Leadership Award.

     

Effective Sept. 1, 2006, Commission Vice  Chair Naomi Earp will assume the agency’s operational responsibilities as  Acting Chair.     

      The EEOC is the federal government agency responsible  for enforcing the nation's anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. Further information about the agency is  available (in English and Spanish) on the agency’s web site at       www.eeoc.gov.