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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-7342.
The Glass Ceiling Commission, in its final act, issued 12
recommendations for business and government to eliminate barriers that keep
minorities and women out of the executive suite.
"The Glass Ceiling is not only a setback that affects
two-thirds of the population, but a serious economic problem that takes a huge
financial toll on American business. Equity demands that we destroy the glass
ceiling. Smart business demands it as well," said Labor Secretary Robert B.
Reich, chair of the commission.
"If America's businesses fully utilized the nation's human
capital, they would be making a solid investment," Reich said. "For real change
to occur, bias and discrimination must be banished from the boardrooms and
executive suites of corporate America."
Reich called glass ceiling barriers "a concept that
betrays America's most cherished principles." The report is titled A Solid
Investment: Making Full Use of the Nation's Human Capital, and reflects the
belief that banishing the glass ceiling will help American working families
move into the middle class and beyond.
The recommendations call for government to lead by
example, including increased enforcement of existing antidiscrimination
laws.
Business should play a major role; corporations should
demonstrate CEO commitment, use affirmative action as a tool, and initiate
work/life and family friendly policies.
Finally, the commission identifies an additional six
initiatives for society at large, so that barriers can be overcome for
minorities and women in the workplace. As part of initiatives for media, there
is a recommendation to create an award for the media organization that
consistently puts forth an accurate and positive reflection of minority groups
and women.
Created as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the
21-member bipartisan commission was established to study and recommend ways to
eliminate the barriers minorities and women experience when trying to advance
into management and decision- making positions in the private sector. The
commission overwhelmingly accepted all the recommendations on its last day of
work.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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