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.

Director of Policy and Program Development, Tina Williams confirmed “the agency has been busy” and walked attendees through the policy developments and upcoming Agency initiatives.  Highlights of the presentation included:

  1. Announcement that OFCCP will not be extending the COVID-19 National Interest Exemption.  The Agency initiated the exemption in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2.  Update that the Agency is in the process of developing Religious Exemption and Resolution Procedures final rules.  The recently final rule addressing TRICARE providers was also discussed.
  3. Discussion of focused reviews, including the Agency’s completed Section 503 focused reviews, upcoming VEVRAA reviews and development of promotion and religious accommodation focused reviews.  Ms. Williams explained OFCCP is in the process of developing landing pages for these latter types of focused reviews and acknowledged the promotion reviews “will be slightly tricky.”
  4. Acting Deputy Director of Policy, Christopher Seely provided a recap of the Directives OFCCP released in FY 2020
  5. OFCCP intends to continue its Town Hall programs with the introduction of virtual Town Halls on “yet to be determined topics” by the end of the calendar year
  6. The Agency is working on new recognition programs and initiatives, including Closure Letters with Distinction.
  7. Ms. Williams echoed Director Leen’s comments from the webseries Opening Remarks regarding support for the Indian and Native American Employment Rights Program (INAERP)
  8. The Agency is also working on finalizing scheduling letters and audit procedures for construction contractors.
  9. As a final point, the presentation touched on the Agency’s work on  publishing additional technical assistance guides, including a guide for Supply & Service contractors.

To conclude the webinar, Ombusman Marcus Stergio presented on the OFCCP’s Ombuds Service.  To date, the Ombuds Service has handled 85 referrals and is looking forward to handling more.

The NILG’s 2020 Virtual Conference continues in the coming weeks and we will be sure to keep you updated along the way.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Laura A. Mitchell Laura A. Mitchell

As co-leader of the firm’s ESG group, Laura Mitchell partners with her clients to evaluate, set, achieve and monitor their organizational culture and human capital goals. She focuses her practice on data analytics, including pay equity and other employee analytics, working side-by-side with…

As co-leader of the firm’s ESG group, Laura Mitchell partners with her clients to evaluate, set, achieve and monitor their organizational culture and human capital goals. She focuses her practice on data analytics, including pay equity and other employee analytics, working side-by-side with employers to build programs that benefit employees and create a stable, high-functioning workplace. Understanding that an inclusive, values-based culture provides a crucial competitive advantage in the modern workplace, Laura enjoys counseling companies on the development of proactive and equitable pay and diversity practices.

In Laura’s version of the reimagined workplace, attention to human capital issues, especially DEI and pay equity, would be the rule rather than the exception nationwide and she works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize this vision for her clients’ ongoing success. She helps clients understand all issues across the spectrum of their journey, helping to establish regular analyses as well as counseling organizations on implementation and compliance obligations, where applicable. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication.

Laura also represents companies in OFCCP matters, preparing for and defending OFCCP audits, and counseling employers on issues stemming from OFCCP regulations. She personally oversees the development of hundreds of Affirmative Action Plans for clients each year and is intimately involved in the defense of OFCCP audits. Her approach to compliance is one of facilitation and conciliation while simultaneously advocating in the best interests of her clients.

Read more about Laura A. Mitchell
Show more Show less
Related Posts
Nationwide Injunction on COVID-19 Vaccine for Federal Contractors Applies to Vaccine Requirement Only
January 28, 2022
Update on Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate Injunction
January 25, 2022
OMB Issues Guidance on Impact of Injunction on Government Contractor Vaccine Mandate
December 9, 2021