Race and National Origin Information of Job Applicants

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of the Secretary

Race and National Origin Information of Job Applicants

ACTION: Proposed collection; Comment request.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), as part of its

continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites

the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity

to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as

required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44

U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 10,

2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230 (or via

the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should

be directed to Debby Blackwood, Office of Human Resources Management,

Office of Programs and Policies, Room 5102, 14th and Constitution

Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230, (202) 482-6187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Department of Commerce is below parity with the relevant

civilian labor force representation for many of our primary

occupations. The only method to determine if there are barriers in the

recruitment and selection process for these occupations is to track

groups that apply and how they fare through the selection process.

Without this information, DOC does not have the ability to evaluate the

effectiveness of its recruitment efforts, or to determine barriers in

its selection process. There is no other objective way to make these

determinations, and no source of this information other than from

applicants.

The race and national origin (RNO) information of job applicants

was previously collected by all Federal agencies using OPM Form 1386.

The form expired several years ago and DOC is seeking to establish a

replacement form. It will not be a required part of their application

package. A number of Federal agencies have already recreated this form

for the same purpose--collecting race, national origin, gender and

disability information of job applicants.

The information is not provided to selecting officials and plays no

part in the selection of individuals. Instead, it is used in summary

form to determine trends over many selections within a given occupation

or organizational area. The information is treated in a very

confidential manner.

II. Method of Collection

Initially job applicants will complete the form in a paper version

and submit it with their application. DOC is in the process of

automating this form. Applicants should have the option of completing

the form electronically within a year. Those without access to

automated applicant processing will be able to continue submitting a

paper version. Job applicants complete the form on a voluntary basis.

III. Data

OMB Number: None.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Individuals Seeking Employment.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 833.33.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 (no capital expenditures

are required).

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the agency, including whether the information shall have practical

utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection; (c) ways to

enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of

information on respondents, including through the use of automated

collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information

collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: November 3, 1999.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-29454 Filed 11-9-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-BS-P