Summary: The 1978 Civil Service Reform Act set forth that a goal of federal personnel management should be a competent, honest, and productive federal work force reflective of the Nation's diverse population. This briefing report provides information on the extent to which the federal government has achieved such a representative work force and the effectiveness of the government's management of affirmative employment efforts relating to federal employees. GAO concludes that while the government has made progress towards that goal, white women and Hispanics remain underrepresented in the overall federal workforce. The status of women and minorities by grade level suggests the need for continued attention. This is true for women and minorities in agencies' key jobs and in the upper levels of those jobs. The affirmative employment planning process has lacked priority. Agencies vary in their success in achieving representation. The discrimination complaint processing system is often described as in need of repair. These shortcomings point to the continuing need for a strong federal affirmative action program.
