Thursday, June 10, 2010

Blacks In Government Question Interior "Good Old Boys"

“Good Old Boys” at Interior Contribute to Questionable Oversight of Offshore Drilling

Blacks In Government Applaud Break Up of Cozy Oversight Agencies


Citing the lack of diversity among senior managers at the Department of Interior, Blacks In Government [BIG] sees the same cozy ‘good old boys’ network as contributing to the failed oversight of the Gulf oil disaster. At Interior, there are diminishing numbers of black males at the GS-15 level and fewer minorities in virtually all levels of senior management. BIG’s leadership at Interior is raising questions about this type of senior management environment all too insular to people ‘not like them.’ This cozy network, of having Federal regulators oversee safety compliance and revenue as contributing factors to the current Gulf oil disaster, is the same cozy network of attitudes BIG has identified in its recent White Paper on race relations at Interior. BIG is encouraging Secretary Salazar to hold these departments accountable and shake up the ‘good old boys and good old girls’ network of relationships when the nation’s best interests are at risk.

The Office of Personnel Management reported to Congress that Interior was the only agency from 2002 to 2009 that did not meet its Relevant Civilian Labor Force [RCLF] representation. Of all independent federal agencies, Interior experienced higher Black departures than it had new hires.

As one excerpt from the White Paper notes, “often when a Black candidate makes the best-qualified certification list for an advertised vacancy…and who may be the best qualified and outstanding in the interview process, may still fail to get selected.” The White Paper is entitled “Critical Personnel Issues Affecting Black Employees in the Department of Interior.” The White Paper addresses How Race Relations are Perceived; Employment Practices and Redress; the Need for Increased Minority Recruitment; Limited Promotional Opportunities; Low Retention Rates; and Accountability. (CapitolWirePR, 5/27/2010, CapitolWirePR, 6/7/2010)

More information about BIG’s Interior Chapter: 240 821 408

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