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Delaware releases DEI executive branch workforce report

Minorities make up 40% of employees
January 3, 2025

A diversity, equity and inclusion report done by the Delaware division of the same name shows that minorities make up 40% of the state executive branch workforce and women make up more than half.

The DEI Division of the Delaware Department of Human Resources released its 2024 Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Report as required by Gov. John Carney’s 2019 executive order requiring all executive branch agencies to “develop and implement EEO/AA plans annually to promote transparency, accountability and equitable representation in state government.”

“Delaware’s state workforce should reflect the gender and racial diversity of the state’s population, and as this report documents, we continue to achieve that goal,” said DHR Secretary Claire DeMatteis in a press release. “With a concerted effort over the past three years to better promote state job openings and the benefits of working for state government, we have hired, rehired and promoted a record number of state employees in 2022 and 2023, and we are on track for another near record year in recruiting and retaining state employees in 2024.”

According to U.S. Census data for 2024, women make up about 52% of Delaware’s roughly 1 million population, which has a demographic breakdown of about 67% white, 24% Black, 11% Hispanic, and 4% Asian.

Over the past year, the report states, the number of executive branch workers increased to about 12,808 across all agencies – nearly a 2% increase.

The total number of minority employees increased 1.3% for 40% of the workforce, and the number of women increased about 1% for about a 53% total.

Minority women made up about 47% of the female workforce, and minority men accounted for 33% of male employees.

Officials said the findings reflect progress and identify areas for improvement as Delaware continues its efforts to foster equity and inclusion throughout state government.

“The concerted efforts made over the last three years have produced great progress with respect to our initiatives to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of Delaware. We are looking forward to welcoming a new administration, and embracing our journey to reach new depths of inclusivity and equity in the First State,” said Richard M. Potter Jr., chief diversity officer, in a statement.

 

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