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
OFCCP Announces New York City Town Hall Meetings
On March 11, 2019 OFCCP announced that, “[i]n order to continue to enhance the scope and quality of OFCCP’s compliance assistance materials” and to “to build on the success of [previous] town halls,” it will be holding two town hall meetings in New York City in April 2019. The first
OFCCP Issues Compliance Relief to Federal Contractors in Wake of Devastating Hurricanes
In the wake of the devastating series of hurricanes throughout the United States, the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) has provided compliance exemptions to federal contractors providing hurricane relief. OFCCP has issued three National Interest Exemptions: one for Hurricane Harvey; one for Hurricane Irma; and one
Challenge To The Fair Pay And Safe Workplaces (“Blacklisting”) Rule To Be Heard On October 21, 2016
On October 7, 2016, the first lawsuit challenging the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order (the “Order”) and its Final Rule and Guidance (collectively the “Rule”) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The lawsuit, seeks a preliminary injunction preventing implementation of the Rule, declaratory judgment declaring the Rule invalid, and an order vacating the Rule. A hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction will be heard by District Judge Marcia Crone on October 21, 2016.
OFCCP Renews Compliance Investigation Scheduling Letter
On July 1, 2016, the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) announced that it had renewed its Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing for use during compliance investigations. The renewal lasts for three years. In announcing the renewal, the OFCCP noted that it made certain “clarifying edits,” designed to “ensure
Members of Congress Request Withdrawal Of Proposed Guidance And Regulations For Fair Pay And Safe Workplaces Executive Order
On July 15, 2015, eight members of Congress sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Labor and the Administrator for the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, requesting that the proposed guidance and regulations for the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order (the “Order”) be withdrawn. This letter comes just days after the Department of Labor (“DOL”) and the FAR Council announced a two-week extension of the notice and comment period for the proposed guidance and regulations. Our previous blog post on the proposed guidance and regulations can be found here.
OFCCP Seeks Final Approval Of Its Pay Transparency Regulations From OMB
OFCCP recently sent its proposed final regulations implementing Executive Order 13665 (the “Order”) to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for final approval. The Order, among other things, mandates that federal contractors disclose additional compensation information to employees and permit employees openly to discuss compensation without retribution. The Order
DOL And FAR Council Extend Notice and Comment Period For Guidance And Regulations Implementing The Fair Pay And Safe Workplaces Executive Order
On July 14, 2015 the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced that both it and the FAR Council have extended the notice and comment period for the proposed guidance and regulations implementing the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order (the “Order”). The public now has through August 11, 2015
Obama Requests Increased OFCCP Funding in FY 2015 Budget
On March 4, 2014, Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez released OFCCP’s FY 2015 budget request, which includes a request for over $107 million in funding for OFCCP’s operations. This amount represents a $3 million increase over 2014, including funding for an additional 10 full-time equivalent employees.
Significant in the FY 2015 budget is a request for an additional $1.1 million dedicated to strengthening efforts to eliminate pay discrimination affecting women. The 10 additional employees requested in the budget are intended to support this effort. OFCCP’s augmented focus on pay equity in FY 2015 continues OFCCP’s focus on compensation issues, including the issuance of a recent Directive concerning compensation analyses and audits and a notice of rulemaking concerning a new compensation data collection tool.
Other highlights include:
White House Announces Additional Executive Orders For Federal Government Contractors
President Obama is expected to sign two executive orders that will impose additional compliance obligations on federal government contractors. The first order will reportedly bar federal contractors from retaliating against employees for discussing pay issues with co-workers. The President is also expected to sign a second executive order directing the