Group Says OPM Must Do More to Recruit, Retain Hispanics

Manuel Mirabal , president of the National Puerto Rican Coalition, outlined the report being sent to Congress by the 40 organizations. The report, he said, found that:

· The annual percentage of Hispanic new hires in the federal workforce has decreased in recent years, from 9.5 percent in fiscal 2002 to 8.3 percent in fiscal 2005.

· The percentage of Hispanics at the top of government appears to be declining. Hispanics were 2.5 percent of the career Senior Executive Service in 2001 and 2.3 percent in 2005. If the trend continues, fewer than 140 Hispanics will be in career SES jobs within a few years.

· The retention rates are not improving. More than 20,400 Hispanics have left the government since 2000, eroding gains in Hispanic hiring.

Mirabal said more studies are needed to understand why Hispanics leave the government and why more are not considered for promotion into the top ranks.

But Sandate, who heads the Coalition for Fairness for Hispanics in Government, said he has seen discrimination in hiring and promotions and federal managers who view diversity and equal employment opportunity programs "as a nuisance, something to be tolerated and marginally complied with."

In addition to congressional hearings, the report called for putting teeth into the presidential directive by requiring agencies to prepare annual reports on Hispanic hiring and recommended increased oversight of intern programs used to recruit young people and minorities.

Please join me for a discussion of federal employee and retiree issues at noon today on Federal Diary Live athttp://www.washingtonpost.com. My e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.