Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released its inaugural report: Government-wide DEIA: Our Progress and Path Forward to Building a Better Workforce for the American People. This report highlights accomplishments aligned with the Government-wide Strategic Plan to Advance DEIA in the Federal Workforce and preview priorities for 2023 consistent with Executive Order (EO) 14035.

“Whether you want to cure diseases, protect and preserve our national parks, combat climate change, or embark on missions to discover new galaxies, the Federal government is full of opportunity for the best and brightest to serve our country,” said OPM Director Kiran Ahuja. “In order to recruit and sustain the best talent, we must ensure every service-minded individual feels welcome and supported in contributing their talents to the Federal workforce. This inaugural report highlights progress made to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace, and we look forward to continuing the work to break down barriers to serve and help build a Federal government that draws from the strength and diversity of its people.”

Since EO 14035 was released, OPM and partnering agencies have worked on programs and initiatives to begin addressing the Government-wide DEIA Strategic Plan priorities. This annual report details programming highlights, including the following:

• Established the Chief Diversity Officers Executive Council, a stakeholder group that will inform and collaborate with member agencies and other public and private stakeholders on such matters as legislation and policies affecting Federal DEIA priorities nationwide;
• Convened a national Employee Resource Group (ERG) Summit, designed to equip Federal employees in ERGs to better support agency efforts to strategically advance DEIA and impact mission outcomes and a national DEIA Summit 2022: A Whole-of-Government Approach to Disability Employment to discuss promising practices and strategies to improve employment for people with disabilities in the Federal workforce;
• Promoted equitable healthcare coverage for LGBTQI+ employees, beneficiaries and eligible dependents, including taking steps to remove barriers to accessing gender-affirming health care through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program;
• Developed a new DEIA Index to measure how federal employees view their work environment;
• Led a DEIA Learning Community to support all federal agencies with implementing best practices, and worked with agencies as they self-assessed the strengths and challenges related to DEIA practices within their own organizations; and
• Published a new report in collaboration with the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Promising Practices for Federal Agencies

 “We are proud of the work we have accomplished but also know there are opportunities for improvement and sustainability,” said Government-wide Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Janice Underwood. “We are committed to implementing EO 14035 by cultivating a workforce that draws from the full diversity of the nation and improving the daily operations of the Federal government with DEIA principles.”

Read the Government-wide DEIA: Our Progress and Path Forward to Building a Better Workforce for the American People here.