Articles Discussing Affirmative Action

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018’s primary objectives are to provide veterans with greater access to health care in VA facilities and communities, to expand benefits for caregivers, and to improve the VA’s ability to retain and

In another installment of the NILG’s 2020 Virtual Conference Webinar Series, OFCCP’s National Policy team presented updates on the Agency’s directives, regulatory activity, policies and procedure developments.

During the opening remarks of the 2020 NILG Annual Conference – this year being held virtually as the NILG 2020 Webinar Series – OFCCP Director Craig Leen announced the Agency will initiate VEVRAA Focused Reviews in as little as two weeks.  Prefacing that the Agency will be giving consideration for the

On July 2, 2020, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a final rule1 amending its regulations to confirm the agency lacks jurisdiction over health care providers whose sole government contract is based on the providers’ participation in TRICARE, ending 13 years of controversy and uncertainty over this

OFCCP has finalized its rule making to officially confirm the Agency does not, and should not, exert authority over TRICARE providers.  OFCCP first took this position in a proposed rule making in November 2019.  In the final rule, OFCCP concluded it does not have jurisdiction over healthcare providers based solely

So, it has begun.  The confirmation process for now OFCCP Director Craig Leen‘s move out of OFCCP and into the Inspector General of Office of Personnel Management initiated with a hearing before the full committee of the Department of Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs.  In an unexpected turn of events,

On May 8, 2020, the Office of Management and Budget approved the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ (OFCCP) updated form for prospective and current employees to voluntarily self-identify as an individual with a disability.

OFCCP announced today it has received approval of a modified Self-Identification form for individuals with disabilities.  One of the biggest changes is the form is now one page, instead of two.

OFCCP requested approval of the modified form from Office of Management and Budget (OMB) last year.

With this approval,

As anticipated, but with little fanfare, OFCCP has published a VEVRAA Focused Review landing page.  Much like the page it created for Section 503 Individuals with Disabilities Focused Reviews, the Agency’s veterans technical assistance page provides FAQs and Best Practices.

With the recent approval of the VEVRAA Scheduling Letter and the

In the third of three new Directives (Directive (DIR) 2020-04), OFCCP has formalized and clarified the role of the Ombudsman in facilitating resolution of conflict between contractors and OFCCP.

The Ombuds Service Protocol, among other important clarifications to Directive (DIR) 2018–09, states:

The mission of the Ombuds Service is to

In the second of the three most recent OFCCP Directives, OFCCP has formalized a pre-referral mediation program “to provide the best opportunity for resolving matters before significant time and resources are spent in the enforcement process,” and prior to referring the case for enforcement to the Office of the Solicitor

In case any of you have been wondering, OFCCP is not slowing down amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  While the Agency has been thoughtful and reasonable in extending response times for audits and even granting a National Interest Exemption for new contractors helping respond to the pandemic, OFCCP continues to schedule

As we previously reported, OFCCP finally received approval of its new scheduling letters – and as a result federal contractors and subcontractors will be required to submit some additional information when selected for a Department of Labor compliance review.  So, what’s new?  As it turns out, not much.  Most of