A Better, More Diverse Senior Executive Service in 2050
A Better, More Diverse Senior Executive Service in 2050
A Better, More Diverse Senior Executive Service in 2050
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>More</strong>over, for a government to effectively representthe citizens it serves and who pay for it,the government must look like its citizens.In short, the federal government must reaffirmits leadership <strong>in</strong> ensur<strong>in</strong>g fair hir<strong>in</strong>g andexpand<strong>in</strong>g opportunities for people of colorand women. <strong>More</strong> than just the “right th<strong>in</strong>g todo,” a more diverse workforce will lead to bettergovernment through greater efficiencies, more<strong>in</strong>novation, and better effectiveness.The federal government’s diversity is not anew concern. The Government AccountabilityOffice, Office of Personnel Management,and the Equal Employment OpportunityCommission all commit significant time andresources to identify<strong>in</strong>g the challenge andimprov<strong>in</strong>g the federal government’s performance.Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) andRep. Danny Davis (D-IL) have <strong>in</strong>troducedlegislation to encourage improvement. Andother groups, such as the National HispanicLeadership Agenda, push for better representationat all levels of the bureaucracy.The Obama adm<strong>in</strong>istration has demonstrateda strong commitment to address<strong>in</strong>g diversity.A recently published executive order seeks toimprove the diversity of the federal workforce. 4This is a welcome step and a foundation forimplement<strong>in</strong>g the recommendations <strong>in</strong> thisreport. The executive order promises a government-widestrategic plan to promote diversityand <strong>in</strong>clusion by mid-November.Figure 3M<strong>in</strong>d the Relentless GapThe m<strong>in</strong>ority percentage of the <strong>Senior</strong> <strong>Executive</strong> <strong>Service</strong> thatwon’t match that of the civilian labor forceIn Percent50403020100Labor ForceM<strong>in</strong>orities2010 2020 2030Source: Office of Personnel Management, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAP ProjectionsFigure 4A Man’s <strong>Senior</strong> <strong>Executive</strong> <strong>Service</strong>?Not for long, but not soon enoughIn Percent100806040200Source: Office of Personnel Management, CAP Projections.MenWomen2000 2010 2020 2030We believe that plan should place a strong emphasis on <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g the ethnic,racial, and gender diversity of the career <strong>Senior</strong> <strong>Executive</strong> <strong>Service</strong>. And giventhe f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs of this report, the top priority should be to address Hispanic representation<strong>in</strong> the most senior ranks of federal agencies. 5 Specifically, the government-wideplan should:3 Center for American Progress | A <strong>Better</strong>, <strong>More</strong> <strong>Diverse</strong> <strong>Senior</strong> <strong>Executive</strong> <strong>Service</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>2050</strong>