Overview
Title
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Federal Reserve wants to know what people think about new forms that help report unfair treatment when someone tries to get a job or leaves a job there. They want comments from people by February 2025 so they can make the forms better and easier to use.
Summary AI
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is inviting public comments on a proposal to introduce new Discrimination Complaint Forms (FR 1413). These forms will help individuals file discrimination complaints if they believe they were treated unfairly while applying for jobs or after leaving employment at the Board. Comments must be submitted by February 4, 2025, and aim to understand the necessity, burden, and clarity of the proposed information collection. This process is part of the agency's obligations under the Paperwork Reduction Act, which requires comments to be considered before finalizing the proposal.
Abstract
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) invites comment on a proposal to implement the Discrimination Complaint Forms (FR 1413; OMB No. 7100-NEW).
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Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question comes from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which is proposing the implementation of new forms designed to facilitate the submission of discrimination complaints. These forms, referred to as the Discrimination Complaint Forms (FR 1413), consist of a preliminary and a formal version. They are intended for individuals who feel they have been discriminated against either while applying for a position at the Federal Reserve or following their separation from employment there. Interested parties are invited to submit comments on this proposal by February 4, 2025.
Summary of the Document
The primary purpose of the document is to solicit comments from the public regarding the practicality and potential burden of the proposed information collection associated with these forms. The Board seeks feedback on whether the forms are necessary for its functions, the accuracy of burden estimates, and suggestions on improving the quality and clarity of the collected information. Comments will help refine the proposal, consistent with the Board's obligations under the Paperwork Reduction Act, which mandates public input before finalizing information-gathering procedures.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A few notable issues arise from the proposal. Firstly, the document does not sufficiently explain the purpose and significance of the Discrimination Complaint Forms in addressing discrimination within the Federal Reserve. Additionally, the estimated number of respondents for these forms appears unusually low—one respondent for the pre-complaint and three for the formal complaint—raising questions about how this figure was derived. Moreover, the document does not clearly define what events will trigger the form submission, as they are described only as "event-generated."
Furthermore, there is a lack of detailed information on protecting the personal data provided in the forms, a crucial consideration given the sensitivity of discrimination complaints. Lastly, the language used throughout the solicitation of public comments may prove complex for those without specialized knowledge, potentially limiting meaningful participation from the broader public.
Broad Public Impact
The introduction of these forms could enhance accountability and transparency within the Federal Reserve by providing a formal channel through which discrimination complaints can be filed and addressed. This might encourage a more inclusive workplace by outlining clear procedures for raising and resolving such issues. However, the lack of clarity regarding respondent estimates and data protection measures could hinder full public understanding and confidence in the process.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For potential and former employees of the Federal Reserve, these forms offer a formal avenue to voice concerns over discriminatory practices they may perceive or encounter. Such stakeholders are directly and positively impacted, as this proposal acknowledges their grievances and attempts to institutionalize a process for redress.
Conversely, the administrative staff involved in implementing and managing these new forms may face initial burdens related to adapting practices and ensuring systems can handle these submissions securely. The estimated low number of respondents might also suggest potential underestimation of workload or misalignment with actual needs and perspectives.
In conclusion, while the proposal for new Discrimination Complaint Forms is a step toward addressing workplace discrimination concerns, the Board may need to address the identified issues to ensure the initiative successfully empowers those it intends to serve while safeguarding sensitive personal information gathered in the process. The public's constructive input will be critical in refining the proposal to achieve its intended outcomes effectively.
Issues
• The document could provide more clarity on the purpose and importance of the Discrimination Complaint Forms and how they will be used to address discrimination issues at the Board.
• The estimate of total respondents (FR 1413A, 1; FR 1413B, 3) for the Discrimination Complaint Forms seems unusually low for an organization as large as the Federal Reserve, suggesting the need for more context or explanation.
• The document does not specify how the 'event-generated' frequency will be enforced or what specific events trigger the collection of these forms.
• The text does not provide detailed information about the measures to protect personal data provided in the Discrimination Complaint Forms, which could be a concern for potential respondents.
• Language in the proposed information collection comments request section could be simplified to be more accessible to a general audience.