EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR MINORITIES IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

• NCJ Number: 59121
• Journal: Social Science Quarterly Volume: 57 Dated: (MARCH 1977) Pages: 864-872
• Author(s): G HALL; A SALTZSTEIN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 9 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Houston
• Corporate Author: University of Texas Press
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE DIFFERENCES IN EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS FOR BLACK AND MEXICAN AMERICANS IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS AND DELINEATES SOME OF THE CONDITIONS UNDERLYING RACIAL EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS.

Abstract

THE STUDY UTILIZED NEWLY AVAILABLE DATA ON 26 TEXAS CITIES WITH A POPULATION OF OVER 50,000. EMPLOYMENT DATA CONTAINED IN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY-3 FORMS WERE AGGREGATED BY CITY TO CREATE TWO DEPENDENT VARIABLES FOR BOTH BLACK AND SPANISH-SURNAMED EMPLOYEES: (1) PERCENTAGE OF PROFESSIONALS IN CITY GOVERNMENT WHO BELONG TO EACH GROUP, (2) USE INDEX FOR EACH GROUP WHICH CONSIDERS BOTH A MINORITY GROUP'S REPRESENTATION IN AN ORGANIZATION AND ITS DISTRIBUTION ACROSS SALARY LEVELS. DESPITE THE SMALL SAMPLE SIZE AND ITS RESTRICTION TO TEXAS CITIES, THE FINDINGS SUGGESTED THAT UNEXPECTED COMPLEXITIES IN URBAN MINORITY EMPLOYMENT COULD AFFECT THE SUCCESS OF PERSONNEL POLICIES. POLICIES STRESSING EDUCATION AND TRAINING WERE FOUND MORE EFFECTIVE WITH SPANISH-SURNAMED POPULATION THAN WITH BLACK EMPLOYEES. IT WAS FOUND THAT FEDERAL STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF MINORITIES IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE SPECIFIC GROUP REQUIRING ASSISTANCE. FURTHER RESEARCH IS NECESSARY TO DETERMINE WHICH PROGRAMS CAN BEST ALLEVIATE MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS OF ANY ONE GROUP. REFERENCES AND TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED.