Q&A
Data collection on discrimination and MOERJ's work with the private sector
0:45:29
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148 sec
Council Member Williams inquires about MOERJ's data collection on institutional discrimination and its work with the private sector. Commissioner Sherman explains the office's limited role in these areas.
- MOERJ does not directly collect individual data on discrimination
- Discrimination reports typically go to CCHR or the State Commission on Human Rights
- MOERJ stays informed about changes to human rights laws and discrimination trends
- The office's work is primarily focused on government reform and advancing racial equity through government
- MOERJ engages with private sector partners on issues like pay equity but has no direct oversight role
- The office aims to share best practices developed within government with the private sector
Nantasha M. Williams
0:45:29
Okay, a lot of your work is meant to target discrimination and racism at a structural and systemic level.
0:45:35
According to the poverty tracker developed by the Center on Poverty and Social Policy and Robin Hood, nearly 80% of black New Yorkers report facing at least one form of institutional discrimination in their lifetime such as when we're trying to vote, rent an apartment, or when applying for jobs and promotions.
0:45:54
Does your office collect or receive any data similar to this from New York City agencies across the spectrum or any other entities?
0:46:03
Does it do any of this on its own through independent data collection on institutional discrimination?
0:46:10
If so, could you share how such data is digested and used in your work?
Sideya Sherman
0:46:15
So we don't collect individual data on discrimination.
0:46:20
Most of that information to the extent that people are reporting it goes to CCHR or the State Commission on Human Rights depending on people report.
0:46:28
We certainly stay abreast of what's happening in our city and as well as we work closely with our partners to understand changes to the law with respect to human rights law.
0:46:40
New York obviously has, know, very generous human rights law with a number of protections, but we don't collect that data directly.
Nantasha M. Williams
0:46:49
Okay, the oversight role of government agencies over the private sector can often be very limited.
0:46:55
That being said according to the Department of Labor there are roughly 4,200,000 New York City residents employed in the private sector as of December 2024 which is an increase of about 77,000 from the previous year.
0:47:09
Given the significant and rising number, how is MOERJ working to advance toward its goal within private within the private sector if at all possible?
Sideya Sherman
0:47:20
So our work has been primarily focused on government and reforming racial and advancing racial equity through government reform.
0:47:28
Again, to the extent that people in the private sector are experiencing discrimination, the city obviously has resources and we've also raised awareness and partnership with private sector partners around critical issues that cut across government like pay equity, but we don't have a direct role in oversight of the private sector, but certainly as our work evolves can ensure that we're leveraging and engaging that the sector and also sort of sharing some of the best practices that we develop within government.