State Employee Race/Ethnicity Questionnaire (CalHR 1070 Form)

The State Employee Race/Ethnicity Questionnaire (CalHR 1070 Form) is used to help the State
of California better understand workforce demographics and support equal employment
opportunity efforts across state civil service. Completion of the form is voluntary, and
employees may choose whether to self-identify

Department personnel offices provide the CalHR 1070 form to all new employees — and to
rehired employees who do not already have race/ethnicity information in the State
Controller’s Office (SCO) system. Employees are invited to voluntarily self-identify their
race/ethnicity and gender.

The information collected through the CalHR 1070 form helps the state assess workforce
representation, compare demographic trends to California’s broader labor force, and support
compliance with state and federal non-discrimination requirements. Workforce comparison
data is generally aligned with categories established by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Recent Updates to the CalHR 1070 Form

Beginning January 1, 2024, updates to the CalHR 1070 form expanded demographic
identification options for employees who identify as Black or African American, consistent with
Government Code section 8310.6(a). These updates recognize the diversity of backgrounds,
cultures, and lived experiences represented within Black and African ancestry communities
and support more accurate workforce data collection.

The updated form now includes the following response options:

• Descendant of a person enslaved in the United States
• Not a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States (such as African Black, Caribbean Black, or other Black identities)
• Descendant status unknown or prefer not to identify

Review and Update Your Information

Employees who identify as Black or African American and who have not updated their
information since January 1, 2024, are encouraged to review the newly established categories
and update their information if they choose. If no update is made, the selection will default to
Descendant status unknown or prefer not to identify. Employees who wish to update their
information can contact their departmental Human Resources office.

Accurate workforce data helps the state understand workforce demographics, identify trends,
and support equal employment opportunity and workforce planning efforts.

Thank you for helping support these efforts.

Resources

For additional information regarding the CalHR 1070 Form, demographic data collection, and
recent updates, please review the resources below:

• CalHR Human Resources Manual – Race/Ethnicity Identification Requirements
  Guidance regarding department responsibilities related to the State Employee
  Race/Ethnicity Questionnaire (CalHR 1070).
• CalHR 1070 Form
  Access the current State Employee Race/Ethnicity Questionnaire form.
• CalHR News Release – Changes to the CalHR 1070 Form
  Information regarding the 2024 updates to demographic identification categories.
• Senate Bill 189
  Legislative information related to updates to demographic data collection
  requirements.
• State Controller’s Office Personnel Letter 23-034
  Guidance issued by the State Controller’s Office regarding implementation of the
  updated form.
• State Controller’s Office FAQs – Employee Race or Ethnicity Information
  Frequently asked questions regarding race/ethnicity data collection and employee
  self-identification.
• Workforce Analysis Demographic Reports
  Additional statewide workforce demographic reporting and analysis resources.