Beginning today, March 24, 2014, federal contractors and subcontractors have a number of new responsibilities. Contractors already have the existing obligation to collect demographic data regarding race and gender and take affirmative action to recruit, hire, and retain qualified minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Now contractors must take additional steps to recruit and hire individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, including the collection of data related to the status of applicants and employees as protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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DOL TO COMPEL FEDERAL CONTRACTORS TO HIRE MORE VETERANS AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
As expected, new U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez has wasted little time implementing a number of agenda items in the few short weeks since his Senate confirmation. Secretary Perez announced two new rules that amend longstanding regulations under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which deal with federal contractors’ and subcontractor’s affirmative action and nondiscrimination obligations toward protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Among other things, these new rules establish specific hiring metrics, data collection practices, and recordkeeping requirements that federal contractors must implement for veterans and disabled individuals seeking employment.
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OFCCP Mid-Atlantic Region Issues Scheduling Letters
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently distributed scheduling letters throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. The OFCCP sends a scheduling letter to notify a government contractor or subcontractor that a particular establishment has been selected for a compliance evaluation. In response to the scheduling letter, the contractor or subcontractor must submit its written Affirmative Action Program (AAP) along with supporting information, including detailed data on compensation, hiring, promotion, and termination decisions.
Make no mistake, an OFCCP scheduling letter should be treated in the same manner as a class action lawsuit, because that is exactly what it is.
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Recent OFCCP Settlement Makes Case For Affirmative Action Self-Audits
This post was contributed by Rick L. Etter, Esq., an Associate in McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC’s Labor and Employment Group.
Recently, Alcoa Mill Products Inc. agreed to pay over $500,000 in back wages to 39 female and minority applicants who were rejected for jobs at the company’s plant in Lancaster, PA. The
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS CARRY HIDDEN RISKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This post was contributed by Schaun D. Henry, Esq., a Member in McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC’s Labor and Employment Practice Group.
In this difficult economy, funding sources can be scarce. The financial climate makes government contracts appear quite lucrative. Every industry should seriously consider the ramifications of their actions on other areas of
OFCCP Jurisdiction Extended to More Hospitals and Health Care Providers
Today, Rick L. Etter, Esq. and Schaun D. Henry, Esq. of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC’s Labor and Employment Group issued an Employer Alert entitled "OFCCP Jurisdiction Extended to More Hospitals and Health Care Providers."
The Employer Alert discusses the jurisdiction of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which was recently extended
Good News: SHRM reports delay in E-Verify Regulations’ Effective Date until February 20, 2009
SHRM is reporting the delay of E-verify regulations until February 20, 2009. There is no such report on the Homeland Security or Dept of Justice websites. Stay tuned. A previous post discusses the regulations: E-Verify Final Regulations Issued Requiring Government Contractors and Subcontractors to Verify Employment for New and Existing Employees who Perform Contract Work
UPDATE:
OFCCP Audits Focus on Systemic Discrimination
The OFCCP reports a record $51.7 million recovered for 22,251 workers. Of the recovery, 98% was collected for cases of systemic discrimination in the application process because of unlawful employment policy or practice according to a published account. Much of the monetary recovery came from the 14 cases of systemic discrimination referred to litigation with the
E-Verify Coverage and Criticisms: Government Contractor Compliance Quandary
The Amendment to Executive Order 12989 has government contractors and subcontractors scrambling to evaluate their legal obligations. Details remain sketchy, but the following information may help prepare a compliance strategy:
What is the Effective Date for Using E-Verify?
Employers have no immediate requirement to start using E-Verify. According to a SHRM news report, the deadline for federal
White House Mandates use of E-Verify by All Government Contractors
On June 6, 2008, President Bush amended Executive Order 12989 to require that all federal contractors verify the legal status of their employees by using the government’s electronic employment verification system or face sanctions including debarment from future contracts:
Executive departments and agencies that enter into contracts shall require, as a condition of each contract,