EXECUTIVE ORDER 93-07
AFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND EQUITY
IN SERVICE DELIVERY AND
IN THE COMMUNITIES OF THE STATE,
RE-ESTABLISHING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND PROHIBITING
DISCRIMINATION IN STATE WORKPLACES
AND RESCINDING EXECUTIVE ORDER 91-06
A VISION FOR DIVERSITY IN THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
The state of
Washington is a place where all individuals are respected for their unique
qualities.
Educational, economic
and other opportunities are open to all people of the state. All persons are
encouraged to reach their full potential and in so doing contribute to our
community.
The state's cultural
environment is built on the values of fairness, mutual respect, understanding
and cooperation. The richness of our
state's diverse cultures is valued by all citizens and promoted by the state.
Creative innovations
result from cooperative efforts of the diverse people of the state of
Washington in building communities, solving shared problems and thriving in the
global marketplace.
Washington State - is
known for its wealth of human communities as much as for the beauty of its
natural resources and wildlife.
WHEREAS,
the state of Washington that values and promotes diversify must create a
cultural environment where all people are valued and respected as individuals;
and
WHEREAS,
people of diverse perspectives arising from a multitude of differences as well
as some commonalties must be involved in defining and creating this desired
environment; and
WHEREAS,
our state's population is comprised of indigenous people and recent immigrants,
women and men, children and elders, people with disabilities and diverse family
structures, beliefs and experiences; and
WHEREAS,
our state can best meet the challenges facing us by tapping into the broad
perspectives of its diverse citizenry; and
WHEREAS,
the state of Washington can influence the creation of this environment in the
communities of the state through 'the full participation of all citizens; and
WHEREAS,
Washington State must create an environment that affirms and validates the
unique qualities of each individual, encouraging the development of each
person's full potential in making contributions to state service and state
communities; and
WHEREAS,
our state's success in providing quality services to our citizens is directly
related to the quality and composition of our workforce compelling Washington
State as an employer to create the highest quality work environment attracting
highly qualified, talented people as a first choice career; and
WHEREAS,
education is an important factor in gaining economic access, developing a
strong social fabric and promoting understanding and respect for diversity; and
WHEREAS,
Washington State government must bring people together to work effectively,
efficiently and cooperatively in service to the citizens of the state; and,
WHEREAS,
historically minority and women-owned businesses have been significantly
underrepresented resented and have been denied equitable competitive
opportunities in contracting; and
WHEREAS,
state government has traditionally adopted employment policies and procedures
to encourage employment practices intended to provide leadership for the
private sector and local governments; and
WHEREAS,
certain groups, including some which are not otherwise protected under existing
state and federal law, may experience discrimination in hiring, promotion,
recruitment, and tenure associated with their employment with the state; and
WHEREAS,
because of the increasing diversity in the state's work force, it is important that
agencies and higher education institutions create an organizational culture
that respects and values individual and group differences and encourages the
productive potential of every employee.
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, Mike Lowry, Governor of the State of Washington,
by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby:
Direct all executive agencies and institutions
of higher education to initiate actions to integrate the principles of
diversity into all facets of workplace community and in the delivery of services
to the people of Washington.
Reaffirm my commitment to the elimination of all
barriers to employment which artificially restrict hiring, promotion,
recruitment, and tenure on the basis of any physical, cultural, religious,
language, or other status which is not directly related to the performance of a
job.
Direct that all executive agencies and
institutions of higher education to use equitable employment measures and
corrective actions to employ, in all job categories, protected group members in
accordance with applicable state and federal law.
Direct that full access to employment by persons
with disabilities to be provided and that reasonable accommodation to be made
to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in the work force.
Direct that state executive agencies and
institutions of higher education shall not discriminate in employment on the
basis of an individual's sexual orientation.
Direct all state executive agencies and
institutions of higher education to take reasonable and appropriate steps to
value, encourage and seek out the participation in the state work force of
persons with multiple language skills where it would better serve our
pluralistic society.
Accordingly, in order to implement the aforesaid
policies, I direct all state executive agencies and institutions of higher
education to:
1. Review
policy statements, programs, and procedures to ensure that all possible actions
are being taken to assure that fair and equal employment opportunity exists.
2. Maintain
a current affirmative action program with specific, measurable goals and
objectives for the employment and promotion of protected group members.
Programs shall include systems, methods and procedures for achieving these
goals.
3. Appoint
an official who shall be the chief executive officer, his or her deputy, or
another official who reports to the chief executive officer to be responsible
for the implementation and supervision of the affirmative action program. The
name and title of the person so designated shall be reported to the Department
of Personnel within 30 days from the date of this order.
4. Ensure
that any state agency's or institution's procedures for evaluating and acting
upon complaints of employment discrimination or harassment reflect current
state and federal law and the policies promulgated in this Executive Order.
Every effort shall be made by agencies of the state to resolve all complaints
in the spirit and intent of this Executive Order.
5. Review
their rules, policies, procedures and practices to ensure that they support and
enhance diversity in the work place.
6. Agency
directors shall provide the Governor's Staff Director with a profile of their
executive teams annually and submit any changes to the executive team profile
to the Governor's Staff Director for approval of prospective new hires; Boards
of Regents and Trustees shall annually review the profile of their executive
teams for progress toward the goals of this Executive Order. The Governor may
choose to meet with Trustees or Regents as desired to review progress by their
institutions.
7. Review
policy statements, programs and procedures to ensure that all possible actions
are being taken to assure that delivery of services provided by their agencies
are responsive to needs of diverse clientele and that a variety of
communication methods regarding services are effectively used in reaching
diverse populations who are eligible for such services.
8. Develop
aggressive workplans and efficient reporting systems to maximize the
opportunities for women- and minority- owned businesses to directly and
meaningfully participate in public works contracts and contracts for goods and
services procured by their agencies or institutions, using procedures approved
by the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises.
9. Work
with the Governor's office to ensure that boards and commissions related to
their agency and institution are comprised of individuals from the diverse
populations of the state.
10. Agency directors and higher education Boards
of Regents or Trustees shall review annually with the Governor progress towards
the goals outlined above.
The Governor's Affirmative Action Policy
Committee established under Executive Order 91-06 is hereby reestablished as
follows. The membership shall not exceed fifteen and shall consist of
representatives from state agencies and higher education institutions involved
in affirmative action issues. The committee shall include representation from,
protected groups, the Department of Personnel and employee organizations.
Membership on the committee shall also include geographic representation from
Eastern and Western Washington. The Governor shall appoint the chair. Members
from the general public shall be reimbursed for travel expenses for attendance
at meetings of the committee.
The Governor's Affirmative Action Policy
Committee which has jurisdiction in the area of employment for the development,
approval and oversight of affirmative action plans shall:
1. Advise
the Governor on state affirmative action policies and submit recommendations to
the Governor for any further action.
2. Approve
affirmative action plans for agency implementation strategies and goal progress
which meet guidelines established by the Department of Personnel.
3. Approve
affirmative action plans for higher education institutions implementation
strategies and goal progress which meet guidelines established by the
Department of Personnel.
4. Review
and evaluate reports and guidelines submitted by the Department of Personnel to
determine the extent to which the state is meeting the employment needs of all
protected groups and affirmative action obligations under federal and state
laws, regulations, and policies.
5. Submit
annual reports to the Governor outlining the progress of the state in meeting
its goals and timetables.
6. Submit
annual reports to the Governor for any further action which it deems
appropriate.
The Department of Personnel shall:
1. Provide
agencies and institutions with guidelines and assistance for establishing and
implementing an affirmative action program, such guidelines to be in accordance
with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
2. Review
and provide technical approval of agencies' and institutions' affirmative
action plans and progress reports against established guidelines and state
policies. Recommend to the Affirmative Action Policy Committee approval of such
plans or corrective action as needed.
3. Develop
and implement a positive employment program to incorporate alternative methods
and tools that recognize the cultural pluralism present in the population from
which we are recruiting.
4. Develop
a reporting system for monitoring the progress of each agency and institution
toward achieving its employment goals, including a statistical analysis of
present work forces.
5. Submit
annual reports to the Governor, the Affirmative Action Policy Committee, and
the Human Rights Commission.
The Higher Education Coordinating Board shall:
1. Review
and monitor progress toward statewide Higher Education Coordinating Board goals
and individual institutional goals to improve participation of minorities.
2. Recommend
incentives and strategies that will achieve equitable minority participation
and diversity in higher education.
3. Develop
statewide goals, review and monitor progress toward appropriate statewide
Higher Education Coordination Board goals and monitor individual institutional
goals to improve the participation of persons, with disabilities.
4. Recommend
incentives and strategies that will achieve equitable participation of persons
with disabilities in higher education.
5. Monitor
and report on institutional gender equity plans and compliance of the higher
education institutions with the provisions of the state statutes on gender
equity for students in higher education.
The Office of Minority and Women's Business
Enterprises shall:
1. Provide
state agencies and educational institutions with guidelines and assistance for
establishing and implementing a opportunities for women- and minority-owned
businesses in public works and the provision of goods and services to the
state; and
2. Evaluate
and report to the Governor on agencies' and educational institutions' progress
toward their goals.
The Human Rights Commission shall:
1. Provide
the Department of Personnel with information to assist them in establishing and
implementing the state's affirmative action program in employment. This
information will be in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws
and regulations.
2. Provide
appropriate training in coordination with the Department of Personnel through
workshops or other educational programs for state agencies regarding the
interpretation and application of federal and state laws and other regulations
applying to equal employment opportunity.
3. Advise
the Affirmative Action Policy Committee and the Department of Personnel
regarding agencies' and higher education institutions' compliance with
applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
4. Consistent
with the Commission authority, enforce all applicable federal and state laws
and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination and and laws affecting all protected groups to ensure compliance
the content and spirit of this Executive Order.
The Office of the Governor shall:
1. Through
the executive cabinet, review affirmative action recommendations and progress
reports submitted through the Affirmative Action Policy Committee,
2. Maintain
regular communications with the Affirmative Action Policy Committee and other
agencies, advisory groups and advocacy organizations concerned with employment
discrimination.
3. Take
such additional action as deemed necessary which will result in an effective
affirmative action program for the State of Washington.
4. Review
annually with the directors of agencies pro towards goals on workforce of
diversity, executive team diversity, responsiveness service delivery to diverse
clientele, and goals for providing aggressive economic opportunities to women-
and minority-owned businesses in public works and the provision of goods and
services to their agencies or institutions, accessibility to agency programs in
accordance with Executive Order 93-03, and diversity of boards and commissions.
Review annual progress of higher education institutions and meet as needed with
Boards of Regents and Trustees.
5. Identify
a liaison within the Governor's policy office to work with the community and
appropriate agencies and institutions as an advocate on issues specific to
women in the
6. Identify
a liaison within the Governor's policy office to work with the community and
appropriate agencies and institutions as an advocate on issues specific to gay
men and lesbians in the state.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused
the seal of the State
of Washington to be
affixed at Olympia
this 27th day of
September A.D., Nineteen hundred and ninety-three.
MIKE LOWRY
Governor of Washington
BY THE GOVERNOR:
_________________________________
Secretary of State
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