Most state agencies record the race, ethnicity, and gender of their applicants. They measure under-utilization by comparing their workforce composition at all categories of employment to similarly qualified candidates working in relevant markets. Some counties and cities do similar data collection to determine under-utilization. However, other counties do not assemble information regarding the race and gender of their applicants and only collect information about their actual workforce. The way in which under-utilization is calculated also varies throughout the state.
Some counties compare their workforce to the entire relevant market.
Others look at the pool of workers who are similarly qualified to those in specific public employment categories. Many agencies have supplemented or substituted the term affirmative action with equal employment opportunity in the names of their offices, policies, plans, and job titles. These changes strive to convey the importance of equal employment opportunity and distance the programs from affirmative action. Specific entities that have changed their name are Kings County, San Bernadino County, and San Joaquin County. The City of San Jose is considering changing the name of its agency as well.