The National Industry Liaison Group has worked with OFCCP leadership to clarify contractor obligations and OFCCP expectations for compliance reviews that are moving forward during this unprecedented time.  The below are in addition to the National Interest Exemption recently announced by the Agency.

By e-mail, NILG shared OFCCP has informed it of the following protocols the Agency will put in place going forward:

  • Grant an automatic 30-day extension for submission of AAPs after receipt of Scheduling Letter
  • Grant an automatic additional 30-day extension to contractors who submit their written AAP narrative within 60 days of receipt of scheduling letter (i.e. provide another 30 days for submission of all data reports and analyses)
  • Grant an automatic extension of 14 days, and more commonly of 30 days, for contractor response to information requests, with opportunity for further extensions as needed
  • Conduct 503 focused review onsites via video or phone conference only until contractors begin resuming normal operations

The protocols will allow OFCCP to continue operations to the extent feasible given the current emergency as well as address contractor concerns as their operations become impacted by the pandemic.  The key, as it always should be, is for contractors to communicate with OFCCP during an audit to the best extent possible.

The OFCCP and the NILG recommend contractors concerned about receiving Scheduling Letters during the emergency consider providing an email address for the responsible contractor representative to the applicable Regional Director, with a copy to Deputy Director Patricia Davidson at  Davidson.Patricia@dol.gov.  The OFCCP assures the NILG that

contractors providing this information will receive the Scheduling Letters via email in addition to the mailed copy.

OFCCP and NILG recommend that “contractors who believe the OFCCP is not taking the pandemic emergency into sufficient account, either in general or in a relation to a specific audit,” contact the OFCCP Omsbud, Marcus Stergio,  Stergio.Marcus@dol.gov or 202-693-1174.

NILG and the contractor community appreciate Director Leen’s and the Agency’s swift attention to these matters during these trying times.

Be Safe and Stay Well.

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Photo of Laura A. Mitchell Laura A. Mitchell

Laura Mitchell is a principal in the Denver office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leads the firm’s Workplace Analytics and Preventive Strategies Pay Equity subgroup. She partners with employers to evaluate, develop and implement policies and practices that ensure workplace fairness while mitigating…

Laura Mitchell is a principal in the Denver office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leads the firm’s Workplace Analytics and Preventive Strategies Pay Equity subgroup. She partners with employers to evaluate, develop and implement policies and practices that ensure workplace fairness while mitigating legal risk. Laura is a guiding force in the firm’s most specialized and technical practice areas where she leverages an analytics-focused approach to partner with her clients in building legally compliant programs around which they can anchor their workplaces achieving productivity and stability.

Laura understands that creating a competitive advantage for employers in today’s workplace involves using a data-driven approach to counsel companies on the development of proactive and equitable non-discriminatory practices in hiring, promotions, separations and pay—and where advancements in technology can create both opportunities for efficiencies and risk that can be measured. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost while balancing legal risk, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication. Staying the course with employers across their organizational journey while balancing legal compliance obligations throughout their employees’ lifecycle ensures Laura’s position as a go-to resource.

Laura works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize the combined vision of legal compliance, increased productivity and economic growth enhanced by a focus on pay equity.  As part of the pay equity journey, she advises employers on the evolving pay transparency landscape, working to align compliant practices with the practical realities of the business world.

Laura partners closely with government contractors to understand, implement and demonstrate compliance with their EEO regulatory and compliance obligations. She also works closely with non-government contractor clients to conduct risk assessments of their programs, policies, and training to align with federal and state anti-discrimination requirements.

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