Diversity

Diversity includes the many different and unique characteristics that employees bring to the workplace.

In Region 10 we seek to foster an understanding of and appreciation for the differences we bring to the workplace that contribute to a positive and respectful work environment. We believe that our efforts to promote understanding and valuing diversity affect our ability to understand and respond to the needs of our fellow employees as well as the diverse communities we serve. Capitalizing on the benefits of diversity will enhance Region 10's ability to accomplish its mission.

Components of Region 10's Diversity Program

Diversity Education - Educational programs to promote understanding of and appreciation for the value of diversity in the workplace;
Diversity Strategy - A long-range plan to address diversity issues identified in the recently-conducted diversity assessment;
Diversity Action Plan - Specific actions being taken to ensure that managers and supervisors make decisions fairly and equitably in the areas of recruitment, hiring, assignments, training, promotions, awards and organizational culture.

What is Region 10 doing regarding diversity? - During the past three years, we have offered more that 15 events to staff, some more than once. These events included presentations, training programs and workshops, some of which were held in conjunction with special events such as Women’s History Month, Native American Awareness Month, Gay Pride Month, Hiring Persons with Disabilities, and others. A few of the most successful events were:

Presentations by the late Santiago Rodriguez, Diversity Director for Microsoft, who spoke on the value of diversity and the difference between EEO, affirmative action and diversity;
A Winning Balance workshops, designed to enhance an understanding of diversity, our attitudes about differences and our subsequent behaviors towards others who are different;
Building Allies in the Workplace presentations, which promoted understanding sexual orientation issues in the workplace; and
Religious Diversity - The Forgotten Dimension, a presentation focusing on how to foster a workplace that is respectful of religious differences.

Your Organization Can Benefit From Our Diversity Program

The Diversity Action Plan
In 1997 EPA’s Administrator asked all EPA organizations to develop a Diversity Action Plan (DAP) to address issues related to recruitment, hiring, assignments, training, promotions, and awards. Region 10 recognized the need to address issues related to the workplace climate and added organizational culture to the elements in the DAP.

The original plan has been updated on an annual basis, most recently in 2001 during which managers and supervisors provided input into the plan to give them a greater sense of ownership and accountability. A major outcome of the plan was the development of a critical element in managers’ and supervisors’ performance agreements that specifically address the DAP. Another major outcome was gaining management’s approval and support to conduct a regional diversity assessment.

Diversity

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