From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: The Glass Ceiling: Labor Secretary Martin Measures Progress One Year Later
Organization: Echo Beach
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 10:01:22 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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