Press Release
☷Readout Department of Labor Equal Employment Opportunity Commission hold second roundtable to advance equity opportunities | U S Department of Labor
U.S. Department of Labor ( By Press Release office)
Apr 28,2022
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Readout: Department of Labor , Equal Employment Opportunity Commission hold second roundtable to advance equity opportunities Experts discuss reimagining equity for workers with gaps in employment history WASHINGTON – During an online roundtable today held by the U . S . Department of Labor and the U . S . Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , panelists discussed challenges workers face as they reenter the workforce after periods of unemployment . The “Untapped Potential: Reimagining Equity for Workers with Gaps in Employment History” roundtable is part of the Hiring Initiative to Reimagine Equity initiative , a joint effort by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the EEOC . Panelists included Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director , Jenny R . Yang; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair , Charlotte A . Burrows; Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law , Eve Hill; President of Mission: Launch , Teresa Y . Hodge; A Better Balance Vice President , Elizabeth Gedmark; and the American Association of Retired Persons’ Senior Advisor for Financial Resilience , Heather Tinsley - Fix . “As our country makes major investments in our infrastructure , and we rebuild from the pandemic , we have a critical opportunity to ensure everyone has a chance to contribute to America ' s economy , ” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director Jenny R . Yang . “At today’s roundtable , we explored the wealth of talent that is often hidden from employers by hiring screens that exclude highly qualified workers simply because of a period of unemployment . We explored key strategies for employers to expand opportunity to good jobs by ensuring job - related criteria is the foundation of the hiring process . ”“Workers who have experienced periods of unemployment are an often - overlooked talent pool with a great deal to contribute to our society , and they can be a serious boon to employers seeking to fulfill today ' s staffing needs , ” said Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Charlotte A . Burrows . “They are diverse , and many are from groups that have been historically marginalized in the workplace or denied opportunity because of discrimination . They are caregivers , older workers , disabled persons and formerly incarcerated community members who offer valuable job skills . Giving equal consideration to all candidates regardless of resume gaps is one - way employers can promote our nation’s values and sustain a diverse , equitable , inclusive and accessible workplace . ”“Almost everything employers ‘know’ about applicants with an employment history gap is wrong , ” said Board of Trustees Chair Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and Partner , Brown , Goldstein & Levy Eve Hill . “It’s time to rethink the assumptions we still carry from the work world of the past , so we can attract the best talent in today’s world . ”“For businesses to grow they will need to attract and retain a diverse talent pool , ” said President of Mission: Launch Teresa Y . Hodge . This diversity going forward will include people with gaps in their employment history for various reasons . The opportunity to learn and grow as a person exists both internal and external to the workplace . ” “Workers who have gaps on their resumes due to caregiving or pregnancy should not face discrimination when looking for a new job , especially as the pandemic has forced family members to care for loved ones in the face of unprecedented illness and school closures , ” said A Better Balance Vice President Elizabeth Gedmark . “Workers who dropped out , or were pushed out , of the workplace , disproportionately mothers and people of color , deserve a fair shot and to be recognized for the many skills and values learned during their time away from the paid labor market . “American Association of Retired Persons is pleased to contribute to this effort to break down barriers and build equity for groups of workers that are often overlooked or ignored , ” said American Association of Retired Persons’ Senior Advisor Financial Resilience Heather Tinsley - Fix . “Older workers bring high levels of engagement , productivity and soft skills to the table , yet age discrimination remains distressingly common . In 2020 , AARP research revealed that 78 percent of workers over 40 had seen or experienced age discrimination at work . Research shows that organizations benefit from a multigenerational workforce , and that age should be part of diversity , equity and inclusion initiatives . ” A recording of today’s roundtable will be available on EEOC’s YouTube channel .
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