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Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan

The Department of Commerce is committed to providing equal opportunity to all applicants and employees, while fostering and supporting a diverse workforce where all employees feel included, valued, and critical to its mission of promoting job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved standards of living for all Americans.

The FY2017 Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan outlines the strategic direction for continued development and implementation of business policy and procedures to demonstrate this commitment across all Bureaus over the next four fiscal years.

This updated plan enhances the framework outlined within the first strategic plan (FY 2012- FY2016), and further aligns with the next phase of Executive Order 13583.

It is also integral to the goal of Operational Excellence as established in the departmental operational strategic plan, which has the empowerment and engagement of Commerce employees as a strategic objective for this goal.

The FY2017 Plan also links to the Office of Personal Management (OPM) Government-wide Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan, and supports critical Federal reporting requirements (e.g. Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program (FEORP)).

As noted in the OPM Government-wide Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan, “A commitment to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion is critical to accomplishing the Federal Government’s missions.”

The Department further adopts the OPM definitions for key terms:

  • Diversity: a collection of individual attributes that together help agencies pursue organizational objectives efficiently and effectively.
  • Inclusion: a set of behaviors (culture) that encourages employees to feel valued for their unique qualities and experience a sense of belonging.
  • Inclusive diversity: a set of behaviors that promote collaboration amongst a diverse group.

See full Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for FY 2017 - FY 2021 here