Reconsidering Sex-Based Occupational Segregation and Agency Missions: An Analysis of U.S. State Bureaucracies (1987-2015) Using Two Different Thresholds

Abstract

We examine Equal Employment Opportunity Commission data (1987-2015) to determine whether sex-based occupational segregation among administrative and professional workforces is related to state agency policy missions. Based on two thresholds, the customary 30% benchmark and the 50% benchmark of parity, the findings indicate segregation is related to policy missions. The 30% benchmark suggests a story of widespread progress across state bureaucracies. The 50% benchmark suggests less progress, especially, in police, fire, corrections, utilities, natural resources, and highways. The authors argue it is important to use multiple indicators to assess the progress of women in the workplace.