Workforce Equity Plan Adopted By Multnomah County Commissioners

From Multnomah County: The Board of County Commissioners today adopted a 21-page plan establishing standards and performance measures to eliminate employment barriers for people of color and other marginalized groups.

The Workforce Equity Strategic Plan lays out an organizational response to persistent inequities in the County’s recruiting, hiring, professional development, promotion and retention practices.

It was developed by hundreds of County employees, working with labor and community partners, who participated through the Office of Diversity and Equity in developing specific processes, policies and accountability.

These employees included military veterans, immigrant and refugees, people of color and people with disabilities who brought issues and solutions forward.

“Disparate employee experiences and disparate treatment cannot continue,’’ said Chair Deborah Kafoury. “The challenges our employees face are not inevitable. With investments and focused strategies, with accountability and care, we can move these metrics.’’

In September, 2017, the Board adopted a Workforce Equity resolution after hearing first-hand from employees about how their identity affected their work experience, including institutional and structural racism and oppression.

Since then, the Chair directed that all discrimination complaints be elevated to the chief operating officer.

The County also hired a national human resources consultant team to review the organizational structure and HR practices.

The Workforce Equity Strategic Plan lays out strategies to increase transparency, trauma-informed practices, cultural responsiveness and inclusiveness in the County’s hierarchy, communication style, expectations and accountability.

The vision is to create a workforce that reflects and deeply relates to the people living in Multnomah County.

“The nurturing of this connection to the community, enriched by diversity, creates a fruitful place where all can flourish and lead productive lives,” the plan states. “It’s more than a cry for help it’s a demand to resolve those issues immediately,’’ said Raymond De Silva, co-chair of the Employees of Color Resource Group. “We have a lot of work to do,’’ he said, but asked Commissioners to make this dream happen.

“There is no other Board, no Chair, no workforce or community that can do this other than this one,’’ De Silva said. “This is the hour to make America a better nation and it begins here at Multnomah County.’’

The Board, at the request of Commissioner Loretta Smith, amended the plan so that the Board would include recommendations by the national HR consultant. Then the Chair, Commissioners Sharon Meieran, Smith, Jessica Vega Pederson and Lori Stegmann unanimously adopted the strategic plan.

“As leaders in this organization, it is our obligation and opportunity to build a sense of safety, trust and belonging that comes with doing our work in partnership’’ said Ben Duncan, director of the Office of Diversity and Equity, “centering the voices and experiences of those who bear the burden of workforce equities and utilizing and listening to the wisdom of those lived experiences who have a lot to teach us and can help us turn suffering to thriving.’’

Image via Multnomah County