Finding solutions to solve the underrepresentation of Hispanics employees in the Department of Health and Human Services

For Immediate Release: February 11, 2014
Media Inquiries: Guillermo J. Avilés-Mendoza, President, Guillermo.Aviles-Mendoza@hhs.gov

HHS Hispanic Employee Organization organized its first town hall meeting

AGENDA HHS-Hispanic Employee Organization Town Hall- 30 January 2014
HHS Applicant Flow Data FY2013
HHS-HEO Presentation
NASA Hispanic Outreach
NIH HEP-HEO Jan30

Hispanics in federal government are underrepresented across the board and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ranks at the bottom.

Increasing the recruitment, hiring, professional development and retention of Hispanics is in the core mission of the HHS Hispanic Employee Organization (HEO).  With this mind, HEO organized its first town hall meeting “Hispanic Employee Experience: Hiring, Retention and Working Conditions” to bring to the table HHS senior officials in charge of diversity employment initiatives and experts in the field of Hispanic employment in the federal workforce.

Héctor Sánchez, co-chair, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Hispanic Council of Federal Employment and chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda was the key note speaker.  Mr. Sánchez presented how Hispanics can move to Senior Executive Services (SES) positions and become presidential appointees. He also provided some advice for effective recruiting.

Wilfredo Sauri, Director, HHS Diversity and Inclusion Division presented Hispanic applicant flow data – which showed the extremely low number of Latinos applying for HHS positions.  Only 2% of all applicants to HHS jobs were Hispanics for fiscal year 2013.

The Hispanic workforce representation at HHS is 3.4% the lowest amongst all federal agencies. “These numbers are not acceptable and concerning,” said Guillermo Avilés-Mendoza, HEO president.  “HEO will continue to work with HHS senior management to develop and implement solutions that produce results and hold HHS accountable.  HHS should have a workforce drawn from all-segments of American society.”

During the “Recruitment and Retention Panel”, presenters Ismael Martínez (NARA), Gerard Roman (NIH) and Esteban Morales (NASA) discussed different employment strategies that have been successful in their agencies and answered questions from the audience, who accounted for more than 50 participants.

To increase diversity at all levels in the department, HHS launched recently its new Employee Resource Group lead by Bonita White, who also presented at the town hall.

“This town hall has been a great opportunity to learn what is working in other federal agencies and join forces with those organizations and individuals who are committed to Hispanic representation at all Federal agencies,” said Richard Farina, HEO Treasurer.  “We hope that the Office of Human Resources at HHS and all Operating Divisions begin to take immediate steps to close the deep gap in Hispanic employment within the department.””

HHS-HEO was established in 1981 and it is sanctioned by the HHS Secretary as an employee organization with all of the entitlements and responsibilities of such organizations.  For more information please visit: www.HHSHEO.org.