As we previously reported, in October 2019 OFCCP announced that it had submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for approval of proposed changes to its Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form. On May 8, 2020 the agency announced that OMB approved its proposed changes to the form. The updated form is … Continue Reading
On May 6, 2020, OFCCP announced that its Ombuds Service is now available to the contractor community. The agency initially announced its plan to create an Ombuds Service in the fall of 2018 as part of its overall initiative to increase efficiency and transparency. In announcing the official launch, OFCCP stated the service “delivers an … Continue Reading
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) has released its 2020 Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (“VEVRAA”) benchmark. Effective March 31, 2020, the new benchmark is 5.7%, a slight decrease from 2019’s 5.9% benchmark. This is OFCCP’s sixth reduction of the benchmark, which has steadily declined since its inception in 2014. The VEVRAA Benchmark is … Continue Reading
As faithful readers of this blog know, OFCCP proposed significant changes to its audit scheduling letters in April 2019, and then scaled back those changes in June 2019 revisions. Now, close to a year after OFCCP commenced the process, the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) has approved revised scheduling letters – specifically, scheduling letters … Continue Reading
As we previously reported, OFCCP has already informed contractors that it “remains fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic” and provided the contractor community with information regarding modifications to its operations consistent with current public health guidelines. The agency also stated that it will coordinate with contractors who are experiencing challenges related to COVID-19 and provide … Continue Reading
On March 20, 2020, OFCCP made clear in an announcement to the contractor community that it will continue operations during the COVID-19 pandemic “while making adjustments to ensure all of its activities are consistent with current public health guidelines.” Dispelling any thought that audit activities might cease during the pandemic and the turmoil it has … Continue Reading
On February 21, 2020, OFCCP launched an online training platform called the Contractor Compliance Institute (“CCI”). In announcing the release of CCI, the agency stated it “created the CCI curriculum specifically for federal contractors, furthering [OFCCP’s] commitment to provide meaningful compliance assistance.” Contractors can create a CCI account and register for free, on-demand courses. Currently, … Continue Reading
On February 18, 2020, Proskauer attended a Compensation Roundtable held at the Department of Labor put on by the National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) in collaboration with OFCCP. Director Leen spoke at the event, taking the opportunity to address his recent nomination to serve as the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management. He … Continue Reading
On February 3, 2020, the President Trump announced his intent to nominate Craig Edward Leen, the current OFCCP Director, to serve as the Inspector General at the Office of Personnel Management. The Office of the Inspector General has been without a permanent head since Patrick McFarland retired in February 2016. Nominees for Inspector General of … Continue Reading
On January 15, 2020, Proskauer partner Guy Brenner and Resolution Economics Partner Rick Holt delivered a webinar entitled: OFCCP – The Year That Was and the Year Ahead. The jam-packed presentation provided legal, practical, and econometric insights into the numerous actions taken by the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) in 2019, … Continue Reading
On December 30, 2019, OFCCP updated its Federal Contract Compliance Manual (FCCM) for the first time since 2014. The FCCM “provides guidance for OFCCP’s compliance officers . . . in conducting compliance evaluations, complaint investigations and providing federal contractors with compliance assistance.” In a press release, OFCCP explained that the updates “reflect revisions to OFCCP’s … Continue Reading
Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, to review the significant changes and initiatives implemented by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs in 2019, what they mean for federal contractors and what federal contractors can expect in 2020. Partner Guy Brenner and labor economist Dr. Rick Holt, a Director at Resolution … Continue Reading
Quick Hit: OFCCP has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) it states would “codify the procedures that the agency currently uses to resolve potential discrimination and other material violations” and “clarify definitions to specify the types of evidence OFCCP will use to support its discrimination findings.” The procedures dictate OFCCP’s use of Predetermination Notices … Continue Reading
On November 22, 2019, OFCCP announced it will not “request, accept, or use” EEO-1 Component 2 pay and hours worked data from government contractors in connection with audits (or otherwise). OFCCP explained that it will not request or use the data because it is “collected in a format that is highly aggregated” and, therefore, is … Continue Reading
On November 8, 2019, just before Veterans Day, OFCCP issued Directive (2020-01) (the “Directive”), which addresses “Spouses of Protected Veterans.” Its latest directive is the first of FY2020 and follows up on the agency’s supplemental CSAL identifying contractors selected for VEVRAA Focused Reviews. The Directive observes that spouses of protected veterans are protected by OFCCP … Continue Reading
On November 8, 2019, OFCCP released its Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (“CSAL”) Supplement. The list identifies 500 establishments selected for the new VEVRAA focused review compliance evaluation. In 2018, OFCCP announced that it would be conducting focused reviews during which it would target its analysis on contractors’ compliance with Executive Order 11246 (the “EO”) (equal … Continue Reading
Any illusions that OFCCP would disappear during the Trump Administration should have already been put to rest with the nearly non-stop activity of the agency since 2017. But to the extent there was any remaining doubt, a recent report about the monetary recoveries secured by the agency should put that to rest. As OFCCP announced, … Continue Reading
On October 3, 2019 OFCCP submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget for approval of proposed changes to its Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form. OFCCP explained that it had proposed the changes “in an effort to increase the response rate on the form.” The proposed changes include: Removing the reasonable accommodation notice; … Continue Reading
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report (the “2019 Report”) evaluating the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) implementation of the GAO’s 2016 and 2017 recommendations for improving oversight of contractor compliance. The 2019 Report concludes that OFCCP has implemented only 4 of the GAO’s 11 recommended changes. The key findings and … Continue Reading
When OFCCP issued its “Town Hall Action Plan ” in May 2018, it stated its commitment to “review and enhance contractor compliance assistance materials.” In furtherance of this commitment, on August 2, 2019, OFCCP announced the publication of a number of new compliance assistance guides for contractors. These new resources are: Posting and Notices Requirements Guide … Continue Reading
Quick Hit: On June 28, 2019 The Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) published notice that “OFCCP seeks to revise the letters used to schedule compliance evaluations.” As we previously reported, OFCCP proposed changes to its audit scheduling letters in April 2019 and accepted public comments through June 11, 2019. In light of the comments … Continue Reading
On May 23, 2019, OFCCP issued its first published opinion letter addressing whether universities and other post-secondary higher educational institutions become covered federal contractors by serving as a “conduit” for Pell Grants. According to the OFCCP, “solely serving as a conduit for Pell Grants does not render a post-secondary higher education institution a covered federal … Continue Reading
Quick Hit: OFCCP recently issued a request to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) seeking approval of changes to its “scheduling letter, compliance check letter, [] Section 503 focused review letter… [and] approval for a new VEVRAA focused review letter.” OFCCP states the revised letters will “provide OFCCP an efficient option to monitor contractor … Continue Reading
On April 10, 2019, in New York City, OFCCP hosted a town hall focused on the “legal industry and related fields.” Guy Brenner of Proskauer attended the event, which had far fewer attendees than the financial sector town hall held the previous day. The purpose of the town hall was to provide government contractors in … Continue Reading
