As an agency, we are charged with facilitating our Nation's effectiveness in competing in the global marketplace while simultaneously providing the American people with a safe, environmentally sensitive and world-class transportation system second to none. We must understand the demographic dynamics of America and strive to create an environment that simultaneously works for all Americans irrespective of their differences or similarities. This order acknowledges that Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Managing Diversity are separate and distinct initiatives that come together to create and maintain a positive work environment. This order is applicable to all departmental employees and provides guidance on how we will manage ourselves and the behavior we will model with stakeholders, customers, partners, and constituent groups. At the end of the day, our supervisors must have given testimony to their commitment to diversity by meeting the standard and raising it until DOT represents the American public in its work force as well as its work.
Diversity is the mix of differences and similarities at all levels of the organization.
Diversity management is creating and maintaining a work environment which provides opportunity for employees to maximize their potential and fully contribute to accomplishing the organization's mission. Further, that environment does not advantage or disadvantage any member of the work force and it ensures all team members treat each other with dignity and respect. These objectives form the basis for the accountability mechanism incorporated into departmental performance agreements. They are derived from the departmental values listed in the DOT Strategic Plan. Each of them focuses on effective leadership throughout the Department and supports DOT's visions as a highly competent, productive, and diverse work force at all organizational levels.