Background
Established in January 1992, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), was created to better monitor the department's equal opportunity, affirmative action, and contract compliance programs.
The OEO was established after the department contracted with a highly recognized equal opportunity consulting firm to obtain a comprehensive assessment of its organizational effectiveness in its equal opportunity and affirmative action programs. When the final assessment was received, an ad hoc committee was established to review the assessment and make recommendations on its implementation. The ad hoc committee was made up of management and several employees concerned about civil rights issues who provided assistance in bringing about a more responsive affirmative action and civil rights program.
Based on recommendations from the ad hoc committee, the department's equal opportunity programs were reorganized to accomplish several goals:
- To demonstrate the Secretary's personal commitment to a diversified workforce and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
- To centralize the administration of the department's external and internal equal opportunity responsibilities under a common administrator.
- To elevate equal opportunity activities to division/cabinet status with the Director reporting to the Secretary.
- To provide preliminary direction leading to a more effective and less disruptive complaint resolution process.
- To provide leadership towards quickly and effectively addressing areas of ongoing unrest and perceptions of cultural intolerance.
- Two units within the department, Affirmative Action from Personnel and External Civil Rights from Construction, were brought together to create this new division.
Office of Equal Opportunity Mission Statement
Together, we foster equal opportunity in employment, contracting, and procurement in a collaborative effort with our customers.