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GENERAL INFORMATION BULLETIN N0. 86-01

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1600 INTERVIEWING & HIRING

January 1986

T0: All Department & Agency Appointing Officers

FROM: Karen S. Burstein

SUBJECT: Collection of Ethnic Data

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It has come to our attention that some appointing authorities are collecting ethnic data from eplooyment applicants. While this practice is undoubtedly motivated by good intentions, I am writing to remind you that, under the Human Rights Law, only the Civil Service Department is permitted to request such a specification (see Section 296.1(d) of the Executive Law).

If you need the information to comply with federal rules or to meet your goals and timetables, you should contact our Counsel's office so that we can discuss alternative procedures to achieve those ends.

(signed) Karen S. Burstein
President, Civil Service Commission

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