EEOC unveils restructuring plans

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Tuesday it will open offices in Las Vegas and Mobile, Ala., and reduce its number of managers as part of a broad restructuring.

"Given the shifting demographics, changing business environment, explosive technological advancements and budgetary considerations of our times, this plan will recast the commission in a stronger and more viable position to carry out its mission," Cari M. Dominguez, chairwoman of the EEOC, said in a press release.

The reorganization follows similar recent proposals at other agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and the General Services Administration.

"The proposal continues to advance the president's expectations--of every executive branch agency--to run a well managed, highly efficient, customer-centered, and results-driven organization," said Dominguez. EEOC has been reviewing its organizational structure for three years.

In an apparent attempt to anticipate employee union concerns, the EEOC announced that no jobs will be lost as a result of the reorganization.

Gabrielle Martin, president of the American Federation of Government Employees local that represents EEOC employees, said she was concerned that district offices will have less power as a result of the reorganization. AFGE has also complained that its members have not been asked to comment on the restructuring plans and that the commission needs to hire more staff.

EEOC officials said the agency would attempt to improve customer service by "reducing layers of management and other staff redundancies" and having only one supervisor for every ten employees. Field directors will have more control over their offices and headquarters will have less control, EEOC said.

Members of the commission will discuss the proposal further at a public meeting next Monday.