An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission work group found African Americans are still faced with discrimination and fewer opportunities in the federal workplace, according to a new report.
The EEOC work group determined African Americans were hindered by unconscious biases, insufficient training and mentoring, outdated recruiting and hiring practices and the perception of inequality.
The EEOC found the perception of inequality can thwart African Americans from advancing professionally, even when minority workers are not directly being discriminated against.
Additionally, the work group found African Americans experience lack of mentoring and networking opportunities.
Many of the recommendations came in 2010 after the EEOC began questioning various agencies, affinity groups and academics to identify outstanding equal-opportunity problems and suggest changes.
“This effort is the latest step in an ongoing dialogue with agency stakeholders to effectuate a model federal workplace for all employees,” Carlton Hadden, director of EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations, said in a written statement.
The EEOC work group suggested agencies create formal mentoring programs to make certain all employees learn workplace tips and be made aware of new job openings.
Another suggestion made by the agencies is to increase training, to give African Americans the chance to grow within their departments and to help managers recognize and do away with bias.
The report will require senior managers enforce equal employment laws and regulations.
“Compliance with these rules should be factored into managers’ evaluations,” EEOC said, “and bonuses should contingent upon making diversity a priority.”
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