TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution, which commits the City of Long Beach to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal employment in all hiring activities; and refer the proposed three-year Equal Employment Opportunity Program Plan 2010-2012 to the Personnel and Civil Service Committee for review. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) analyzes the City's work force in comparison to its relevant labor market to determine if females and/or minorities are under-represented in the work force. Historically, the City has used the combined labor forces of Los Angeles and Orange Counties to determine the Labor Market Availability. The 2000 Census data was used to determine the City's relevant labor market availability statistics (2010 Census data for cities was not yet available).
Citywide objectives were established for females, Hispanics and Asians, as identified in the previous (2007-2009) EEOP. Although the City has made progress, we are still under-represented in the following categories: Females, as a group, and Hispanics. To address EEO challenges and opportunities for improving female and minority hires and promotions, the City continues to utilize existing strategies for recruitment, retention and professional development, such as encouraging department managers to promote the EEOP objectives and providing professional development training to existing City staff.
City staff will continue to work with the Civil Service Commission to enhance outreach efforts in areas where female and minority candidates are concentrated, such as minority organizations, community colleges and universities, trade schools and other areas. Although we are currently under a hiring freeze, except for positions in critical service delivery areas, the City will also make a concerted effort to reach out to current non-career employees when filling permanent positions.
The EEOP has also proven to be an instrumental tool for the City to comply with both Federal and State laws and mandates to obtain grant funding. It is also a means of communicating employee demographics to national and local organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Centro Cha.
Once approved, annual status reports will be provided as part of the City's three-year Equal Employment Opportunity Program Plan 2010-2012. The status report will provide information on the City's work force composition and hiring data for each calendar year of the plan.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Burton on August 3, 2011 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 4, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH ADOPTING AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PLAN FOR 2010-2012
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH MILLS
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER