Key points
CDC's Special Emphasis Program utilizes workforce data to identify employment barriers and develop solutions to address them. The program plays an important role within the broader Affirmative Employment Program at CDC.
About
Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) were established in the Federal Government to remove barriers to equal employment opportunity for groups that were traditionally not represented or subjected to discrimination in the workforce. Special Emphasis Programs were strengthened by two Executive Orders. In 1969, Executive Order 11478, Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government, established the Equal Employment Opportunity Program, and implemented the policy of the Federal government to provide equal opportunity in employment.
Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) are an integral part of CDC's Affirmative Employment Program. These programs enhance the workplace environment by promoting and fostering diversity through awareness. They educate employees and others to appreciate, value, understand, and celebrate social and cultural similarities and differences.
Objectives
The primary objectives focus on the Equal Employment Opportunity Program in relation to federal personnel policies, practices, and equal employment opportunity.
Objective 1: Analyze agency workforce data and identifying barriers in the areas of:
- Recruitment
- Hiring
- Promotions
- Career development
- Reasonable accommodation and retention affecting the full representation of targeted groups (i.e. minorities, women and individuals with disabilities).
Objective 2: Compile, develop, and disseminate information and documents for managers, supervisors, and employees
This serves to provide knowledge and sensitivity in all facts or issues of accessibility and reasonable accommodation of individuals with disabilities.
Objective 3: Develop and conduct programs to provide awareness, sensitivity and understanding of the special issues affecting employment of protected groups.
Examples include:
- Training courses
- Workshops
- Job fairs
- Conferences
- Commemorative observances
Programs
CDC recognizes and celebrates the following SEP observances:
- 3rd Monday in January: Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (Observance)
- February: African American Heritage Month
- March: Women’s History Month
- May: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- June: Sexual and Gender Minority (often known as LGBT) Pride Month
- September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
- October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- November: National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month