08/31/1970 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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".,. I 2 ~~ e 8/31/70 ~ Councilwoman Hayward asked why only women were to be employed to conduct the survey. I Dr. Acker replied that these women had previously worked as volunteers, and that it was felt women might feel freer to talk with other women. She said they would II want to work closely with men in the administration regarding questions asked on II the questionnaire, interpretation, etc. Mayor Anderson asked how they could be certain of impartiality in such an evaluation. ,I I! Dr. Acker replied xhat she would present all the data. She wo~ld_draw conclusions, !I but this would be done with people on the Human Rights Commission. Ii 'I Councilman Williams pointed out that many studies have been made on-:this question, I, , and he asked if there was evidence to indicate this particular study would produce i new information. Would there be implementation that could be useful in upgrading the status of women. Dr. Acker said it would show what is going on in this City. II Councilman Mohr pointed out that one of the factors of the Human Rights Ordinance was educational value, and that this study could be of educational value for the II entire community. e 'I 'I I, There was further discussion about the money budgeted, what results. would be ob- il tained, and whether this was the objective the Council had in mind. ,I ,I Mr. McDonald moved seconded by Mrs. Bealthat the Council fund this study for the 1\ II Human Rights Commission concerned,emplo~~~ni of women in city government in the amount of $1326.25. I Ii 'Mayor Anderson was still concerned with the utility of this study, and wanted to be 'I /: absolutely eertain it would be objective, and that safeguards would be built in Ii to insure impartiality. He requested a written statement of objectives the study I would bring forth. He appreciated the need for the study but was concerned with the procedure being followed. I Dr. Acker explained the steps of the study and said the only guaranty she could give I! was that she was trained as a sociologist, and she would attempt to control objectivity. Ii She would be happy to work with people in the c.i ty administration so that agreement could be reached about the problems of objectivity. She would be willing to present I I to the Council steps and procedures to be included in the study. ! I I The Personnel Director suggested an appreach to the problem would be to make recommendations as to the kinds of provisions or assurances employers could make II that their practices 'were not discriminatory. The study could be made from the II standpoint of applying standards and making sure that practices are consistent I with good employment and promotional opportunities for all employes. I I II Councilman Williams thought this was a good suggestion, and felt the City should take steps to insure that discrimination did not occur in the city of Eugene in any way. II \ ,i Councilwoman Hayward was not sure this type. of report would be done in an unbiased I I way. She felt the services of a professional would insure useful information being I compiled. I Mrs. Beal pointed out that the Council had voted unanimously to make this study, I Ii and she felt the question now was whether they should be paid for doing the study. ,I 11 Mayor Anderson disagreed and sailld the question was what kind of package they would get for the money spent. - !I II Councilman Mohr reminded the Council that any decision made today would be unofficial, 1) :1 and that they could carry the discussion over to the next meeting. I \' Mr. McDonald moved seconded by Mr. Mohr to hold over this item to the meeting of il August 31. Motion carried. Mr. Arthur Johnson, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, said that the Human Rights Commission had reviewed this matter and considered the need for general studies in this area, and all areas of I employment in the City. The Department of Labor will be consulted while making the study, as well as staff of the University of Oregon. Members of the Human Rights. Subcommittee appointed to carry ,I out the survey are: Theo Allen, Kathy Siegmund, Depn Owens, Phil George and Ted Brewer. Data will 'I be confidential until the report is furnished to the City Council. I Purdy reasoned that the budget requested amounted to $12..00 per female employe of the City, and I I Dr. jl asked if the Council would get its moneys worth from the study. I I 11 Mr. Johnson explained that the study, as now proposed, would serve as a model for City government I I and employers in general and some expertise was needed. He felt it would be a worthwhile report and I would benefit more that immediate employes of the city of Eugene. II I Mr. Johnson said that representatives of the Department of Labor would not participate in the survey directly, but would be available in an advisory capacity. Supervision and establishment of pro- II cedure would lie with members of the committee. e !i \' 8/31/70 - 5 ~