Census 2010 Special EEO File Update

The Census Bureau and other interested parties continue to work on the EEO data file that will be used in the future for a variety of purposes including the development of Affirmative Action Plans. The file contains information by occupation including gender and race/ethnicity by geographic area for the civilian labor force ages 16 to 64. 

 

OFCCP affirmative action regulations require contractors to determine availability of qualified minorities and women for jobs in their workplace. Availability is an estimate of the number of minorities or women available in each job group. The data used to calculate availability percentages must come from the most current and discrete statistical information available [41 CFR 60-2.14 (d).] 

 

Since the 2010 Census was conducted, the contractor community has awaited detailed information about the format for the EEO data file. Some of these discussions are preliminary since the Census Bureau will not finalize the information until shortly before they release the file, currently slated for the fall of 2012. The information will come from the American Community Survey 2010 Special EEO Tabulation. The American Community Survey is closely related to the nationwide 10 year Census; however, it gathers more detailed information more frequently. The 2010 EEO file will be created using a five-year roll-up of EEO and work related data for the years 2006 through 2010.

 

Some of the details that have been discussed for the Special EEO file are as follows:

 

·        There are approximately 480 detailed occupational categories available for worksite data–the data typically used for AAPs. There will be a similar number for residential data.

·        Disability data will likely not be included because there were inconsistencies in the questions asked during the survey years 2006 through 2010. 

·        There will be a variable indicating US citizenship, which will be helpful for contractors with positions requiring security clearances.

·        A crosswalk will be available to indicate EEO categories for each occupation, as well as federal sector categories for government agency use. 

·        The occupation codes that are currently used are three digits; in the 2010 files, they are expected to be four digits. This is important for many HR systems that may only accommodate three digits currently.  

·        Data will be compiled for counties of 50,000 or more; aggregated counties (termed county sets) with a total of 50,000 or more; places of 50,000 or more; Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) of 50,000 or more; all states; and the United States.

 

·        Information for the number of Veterans in a given geographic area is expected to be available and will likely be the basis for the OFCCP’s new veterans reporting requirement.

 

The data will be accessed through the Census Bureau’s American FactFinder website which is scheduled to debut in 2011, with the detailed information needed to create the EEO file available in late 2012. Query and report tools are being developed to facilitate finding and producing the information that is needed by all users. There will be user friendly quick searches and the ability to sort data and download data in various formats. More information on the FactFinder website is available here.  

 

Berkshire will continue to monitor information about the EEO file and will provide updates as they become available. Please contact your Berkshire representative with any questions about the new census data.