LATEST ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION NEWS
April 27, 2023
Update Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form by July 25, 2023
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has revised the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form (CC-305) with updated information on the preferred language for disabilities as well as additional examples of disabilities. Federal contractors and subcontractors are required to implement the new form into their applicant and employee systems and processes by July 25, 2023.
April 3, 2023
New Annual VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark is 5.4%
Effective March 31, 2023, the Annual Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) hiring benchmark has been reduced to 5.4%. The state-level veteran availability data has been updated in the VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark Database for federal contractors and subcontractors who calculate an individualized hiring benchmark using the five-factor method.
March 21, 2023
OFCCP Contractor Portal Publishes New Deadline for this Year
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced that it will open its Contractor Portal on March 31, 2023, for existing covered federal contractors to certify compliance with Affirmative Action Program (AAP) requirements for this year. Federal Contractors and subcontractors are required to certify their Affirmative Action Plans by June 29, 2023.
The OFCCP stated in their announcement that existing contractors who do not certify by June 29, 2023, will be more likely to appear on OFCCP’s audit scheduling list than those that have certified their compliance with AAP requirements.
February 7, 2023
OFCCP Will Release EEO-1 Data Soon: Final Chance to Object
- They were not a federal contractor during the relevant period
- They believe they previously submitted an objection to the disclosure of their EEO-1 data
To submit an objection, employers must include information supporting their reasons and must file by 11:59 pm EST on February 17, 2023.
January 23, 2023
OFCCP Published New 2023 CSAL List Naming 500 Federal Contractors
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs just released the latest 2023 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL), which includes 500 federal contractors and subcontractors in the supply & service industries. These establishments have been selected for a Compliance Review (Establishment Review), Corporate Management Compliance Evaluation (CMCE), or Functional Affirmative Action Program (FAAP) Review.
November 16, 2022
EEOC Released New Resource Document for Military Service Members and Veterans
The EEOC, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Justice released a new resource document with details describing federal laws that protect military service members and veterans from employment discrimination and unfair treatment. This important document will help veterans and service members learn more about their employment rights and where to get help if they believe their rights have been violated.
November 9, 2022
National Veterans and Military Families Month
This month, let us honor the challenges and sacrifices of veterans, current service members, and military families. We are grateful for them and the essential role they play in supporting our nation. HR Unlimited Inc. stays committed to promoting equal employment opportunities for protected veterans, disabled veterans, and their spouses, as well as helping federal contractors and subcontractors be AAP-compliant with VEVRAA. Learn more about your obligations relating to protected veterans and their families, as well as OFCCP compliance assistance tools that are available to you.
October 25, 2022
New "Know Your Rights" Poster Required in Workplaces Nationwide
EEOC has prepared a new poster to summarize the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination, with additional information on harassment, equal pay, and how to report discrimination. The new “Know Your Rights” poster will replace the “EEO is the Law” poster. It is required by law for employers to display this new notice in a conspicuous location in their workplaces nationwide.
October 18, 2022
EEOC sues Walgreens for pregnancy and disability discrimination
Walgreens was recently sued by EEOC for violating federal law and refusing to allow a pregnant worker with disabilities to take emergency leave for medical attention, which forced her to resign. Later that day, she miscarried. Pregnancy discrimination is against the law. The ADA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protect job applicants and employees who are pregnant from pregnancy discrimination and pregnancy-related disability discrimination.
October 11, 2022
Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your Legal Rights
In 2021, approximately 8,400 workers filed charges of employment discrimination with the EEOC due to a mental health condition or substance use disorder. The ADA and Section 501 protect individuals with mental health disabilities or substance use disorders against discrimination and harassment at work because of their condition. They also have workplace privacy rights, and they may have a legal right to get reasonable accommodations that can help them perform and keep their job. Learn more about the ADA rights of individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorder, as well as some recent cases involving mental health disabilities.
September 12, 2022
Are You Complying with Federal Mental Health Parity Laws?
The Department of Labor is making mental health parity a priority as the number of American workers seeking mental health and substance use disorder care rises. The Department of Labor is increasing its efforts to enforce the law to ensure American workers get the care they need and are entitled to under the law. Check to see if you are in compliance with the mental health requirements and federal law.
August 26, 2022
OFCCP Contractor Portal: Registration Update for Educational Institutions
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has updated its registration guidance for educational institutions. Educational institutions will now register through the OFCCP Contractor Portal using their Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) unique identification number (UNITID or IPEDS ID) and Employer Identification Number. Please refer to the Contractor Portal FAQs and User Guide for detailed instructions on the registration process.
August 25, 2022
New OFCCP Portal for Construction Contract Award
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) will launch a new portal on August 26, 2022, to receive required notices about construction contracts and subcontract awards. This portal, referred to as the Notification of Construction Contract Award Portal (NCAP), will provide contracting officers and contractors with a more secure and efficient electronic means to submit information about construction contract awards. This will enable OFCCP to more efficiently schedule and perform compliance reviews to ensure that companies with federal contracts fulfill their equal employment opportunity obligations.
August 11, 2022
Long COVID as a Disability under Federal Rights Laws
Workers with Long COVID may be considered to have a disability if their physical or mental condition or symptoms substantially limits one or more major life activities. Under federal rights laws, they are protected from disability discrimination by “covered entities,” which include the employers who must comply. Non-discrimination includes the availability of, and access to, care, treatment, support and services, and employment opportunities for people with Long COVID.
August 9, 2022
OFCCP Contractor Portal Deadline Extended for Federal Contractors
OFCCP recently released an announcement stating that the deadline to register and certify your AAP has been extended for federal contractors who experienced technical issues with the OFCCP Contractor Portal. These contractors will be less likely to appear on an upcoming scheduling list than contractors who failed to attempt to certify.
The Contractor Portal is still open, and OFCCP strongly advises that you register and certify your AAP compliance as soon as possible if you have not done so already. Contractors who do not certify their AAP compliance will be more likely to be included on OFCCP’s scheduling list. Furthermore, those who have not completed certification by September 1, 2022, will be on a list provided to federal agency contracting officers, and non-compliance puts your valuable federal contracts at risk.
August 2, 2022
VETS-4212 Annual Reporting is Now Open for Filing
The VETS-4212 reporting is now open for filing and due by September 30. All federal contractors or subcontractors with a contract worth $150,000 or more, regardless of the number of employees, are required to report annually on their affirmative action efforts in employing veterans. Data reported through form VETS-4212 is used by OFCCP in compliance evaluations. If you have any questions or need help filing your VETS-4212 report, don’t hesitate to contact us. If you are looking for resources regarding veteran hiring, please click here.
July 29, 2022
OFCCP Contractor Portal Technical Help Desk is Available for Contractors Who Need Assistance
OFCCP’s Contractor Portal Technical Help Desk is currently open to assist contractors who have not yet completed registration or certification.
If you have not yet registered and certified your AAP compliance in the OFCCP Contractor Portal, it is strongly advised that you do so as soon as possible. Contractors who do not certify their AAP compliance will be more likely to be included on OFCCP’s scheduling list. Furthermore, those who have not completed certification by September 1, 2022, will be on a list provided to federal agency contracting officers.
July 13, 2022
OFCCP Contractor Portal Still Open With Updated Policy Requirements
The OFCCP contractor portal is still open for AAP certification and the agency has updated its policy requirements to include some establishments with fewer than 50 employees. Now, establishments that have fewer than 50 employees and maintain an AAP only for those employees must be included in the OFCCP Contractor Portal.
Contractors that submit past the June 30 deadline will be prioritized for audits, except new federal contractors and subcontractors as well as those that were not able to certify but contacted OFCCP technical assistance prior to the deadline.
June 13, 2022
Reminder to Register for OFCCP’s Contractor Portal & Certify AAP Compliance
All federal contractors that meet the jurisdictional thresholds must register for the Contractor Portal as soon as possible. The deadline to register and certify your AAPs on the new OFCCP portal is June 30, 2022. Contractors that fail to complete the certification, or have not developed or maintained an AAP, will be more likely to be on OFCCP’s scheduling list than contractors that have certified that they are in compliance. To assist you with registering for the Contractor Portal and certifying compliance, OFCCP offers a user guide and frequently asked questions.
May 26, 2022
OFCCP Publishes New Audit Scheduling (CSAL) List
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has announced the release of its latest Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL). The CSAL is a courtesy notification to:
- Provide contractors at least 45-days advance notice to prepare for the compliance evaluation
- Encourage contractors to take advantage of OFCCP compliance assistance offerings
April 20, 2022
The 2021 EEO-1 Component 1 Data Collection is Now Open
The 2021 EEO-1 Comp 1 data collection is now open. The new deadline to submit and certify the 2021 EEO-1 Comp 1 report is June 21, 2022. Eligible filers are strongly encouraged to begin the filing process as soon as possible to meet this deadline.
Employers can file online through the EEO-1 Component 1 Online Filing System (OFS).
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