EEOC & DOJ’s Warning on DEI Marks a Turning Point for Federal Contractors Under EO 14173

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a joint warning that could reshape how employers, including federal contractors, approach Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The message was unmistakable: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, sex, or any other protected characteristic,…
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DOJ’s Case Against Epik Solutions Signals a Wake-Up Call for Federal Contractors in the EO 14173 Era

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a clear message with its announcement of a settlement with Epik Solutions, a California-based technology recruiting firm. The company was found to have violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by unlawfully preferring foreign H-1B workers over qualified U.S. applicants, a discriminatory practice that cost the firm nearly…
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Google’s $50M Bias Settlement Puts Federal Contractors on Notice

On May 9, 2025, Google agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by over 4,000 Black employees who alleged the company engaged in systemic racial discrimination. The lawsuit was originally filed on March 2022 by former Google recruiter April Curley with the Civil Rights Department of the State of California. Curley…
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The Aftermath of EO 14173: Uncertainty and the Path Forward

When Executive Order 14173 was issued, it sent shockwaves through the federal contracting community. By revoking EO 11246, which had governed federal contracting for over six decades, this new order introduced uncertainty and left many contractors scrambling to understand the new compliance landscape. With no clear guidance on how to ensure non-discriminatory employment practices, many…
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Presidential Actions Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

By Sandra Hueneman, SR CAAP, President Manchester Consultants On January 21, 2025, President Trump revoked Executive Order 11246, whereby the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs within the Department of Labor shall immediately cease: Promoting “diversity” Holding Federal contractors and subcontractors responsible for taking “affirmative action;” and Allowing or encouraging Federal contractors and subcontractors to…
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