On Thursday, the city of Philadelphia released its 2023 report on workforce diversity.
As with previous years, the 2023 Workforce Diversity Profile and Annual Report provides an in-depth summary of demographic data for the city’s municipal full-time workforce, including a detailed examination of the exempt workforce. The report reflects the workforce data as of June 30, 2023.
“We know that when government looks like the diverse people it serves, it has a greater opportunity for making an impact,” Mayor Jim Kenney said. “The Annual Diversity Profile Report continues the City’s strategy of using data to inform our priorities which includes building a workforce that is reflective of Philadelphia communities.”
Among the reports key findings were that racial and ethnic diversity of the exempt workforce increased under Kenney from 50.6 percent in 2016 to 55.96 percent in 2023, and that racial and ethnic diversity in the executive exempt workforce increased under Kenney from 39 percent in 2016 to 47.78 percent in 2023.
The report only looks at portions of the exempt workforce that are under the purview of the city’s executive branch. This excludes information from independent offices and agencies including the city commissioners, the city’s controller’s office, city council, the district attorney’s office, the First Judicial District, the register of wills and the Sheriff’s Office. Officials said the analysis looked at the racial, ethnic and gender breakdown of the workforce, including in categories like senior leadership, cabinet members and exempt employees making more than $90,000 per year.
“I am proud of the work that we’ve accomplished during the Kenney Administration,” Josie B.H. Pickens, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, said. “Since 2016, the City has developed an organization-wide and collaborative approach to DEI which has resulted in shared definitions and standards for our efforts; increased collaboration between city departments to address DEI and racial equity; improved communication with residents, and mechanisms for measuring our impact.”