From: Nigel.Allen@lambada.oit.unc.EDU
Subject: The Glass Ceiling: Labor Secretary Martin Measures Progress
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Date: 13 Aug 92 15:51:25 GMT

I thought you might want to see this press release from the U.S.
Department of Labor.

 The Glass Ceiling: Labor Secretary Martin Measures Progress
One Year Later
 To: National and Business Desks, Labor Writer
 Contact: Steve Hofman of the U.S. Department of Labor, 202-523-9711,
          or Donna Harper of the Small Business Administration,
          202-205-6742

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Secretary of Labor Lynn
Martin and Small Business Administrator Patricia Saiki signed a joint
agreement today to bring increased attention to the glass ceiling --
the invisible barrier which prevents many qualified women and
minorities from reaching top-level management jobs.
   The agreement is part of a strategy to expand the awareness of
diversity issues beyond America's large corporations to small
businesses that employ approximately 58 percent of America's private
work force.
   Martin noted that two out of three new jobs are in small
companies.  "In an effort to ensure all Americans are able to realize
their full potential in the workplace, it is important for employers
of small and medium-sized businesses to have a clear understanding of
issues that prevent them from fully utilizing their workforce,"
Martin said.  The agreement between the two agencies establishes a
network that will offer information and resources to small
businesses.
   Martin brought national focus to the glass ceiling one year ago
with the release of the department's "Report on the Glass Ceiling
Initiative," a study of the organizational and attitudinal barriers
which impede the advancement of qualified minorities and women in the
workplace.
   Small Business Administrator Saiki is well acquainted with the
insight small business employers can contribute to discussions on the
glass ceiling.  Many minority and women small business owners left
large corporations and successfully implemented creative approaches
to building diverse workforces.
   Saiki said, "The growth in the number of women- and minority-owned
businesses has been, in many cases, a direct result of facing glass
ceiling barriers.  They are choosing to strike out on their own and
become business owners."
   "Women and minorities starting businesses now have the chance to
make a real difference," Saiki continued.  "They will shape new
policies, direct new practices, and create open-ended opportunities
for their employees."
   One year after the announcement of the Glass Ceiling Initiative,
Labor Department officials remain enthusiastic about the heightened
interest and attention to glass ceiling issues demonstrated by the
Fortune 1000 community.  "The exchange of information and resources
among larger corporations has been a positive step in opening up
opportunities in the workplace for all workers," said Martin.
   "I am convinced that small business owners are leading the way in
adopting policies that are inclusive and encourage talent from all
sectors and varieties of backgrounds," Saiki said.  "These small
companies will continue to open paths to upward mobility for
everyone."
  The secretary also released "Pipelines of Progress," a report on
the continuing efforts of the Department of Labor to address glass
ceiling issues in the workplace.  The report describes the
secretary's success in promoting voluntary efforts to enhance
pipeline opportunities for minorities and women and reports on
follow-up visits to those companies audited in the pilot reviews last
year.  The report also identifies successful strategies such as
monitoring internal development systems, revising performance
appraisal systems, and corporate-wide diversity training programs.
   Martin said, "'Pipelines of Progress' does not mean that America's
workplaces are free of discrimination.  Much remains to be done by
our business community, in unions, and in the public sector.  The
report does show what is actually being done this week, this month,
this year, to change attitudes, perceptions and biases.  We need to
ensure that the pipelines of progress open wider for America's
minorities and women and do not become a drain to disaster."
   "It is important to raise interest and begin the dialogue among
smaller employers so they, too, can develop small businesses
strategies for building a more inclusive workforce," said Martin.
"Model companies lead by example, and I have been assured by
Administrator Saiki we will find the kind of leadership in the small
business community that will be instrumental in shattering the glass
ceiling."
 -0-


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