Enforcement Begins: Inside the EEOC’s post-EO 14173 Settlements

When Executive Order 14173 was issued in January 2025, many employers assumed that the revocation of Executive Order 11246 marked the end of federal oversight of affirmative action and diversity initiatives. Eight months later, that assumption has been proven dangerously wrong. While the structure of oversight has changed, enforcement has not disappeared. It has shifted….
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Eight Months After EO 14173 — What Changed and What it Means for Federal Contractors

When Executive Order 14173 was issued in January 2025, revoking Executive Order 11246, many federal contractors took a sigh of relief. To some, it appeared that decades of affirmative action planning and federal oversight had come to an end. Yet eight months later, the reality has become unmistakable: EO 14173 did not eliminate compliance requirements….
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Why Pausing Nondiscrimination Practices is a Costly Mistake

  For Federal Contractors, EO 14173 Raises the Stakes—and Continuing EO 11246 Practices Protects Your Bottom Line When Executive Order 11246 was revoked and replaced with EO 14173, some federal contractors—especially those under private equity ownership—interpreted the shift as a green light to pause their long-standing nondiscrimination practices. This would be a critical misstep. Not…
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Identifying Triggers in Workplace Discrimination: What Employers Need to Watch For

Ensuring equal employment opportunity (EEO) compliance is an ongoing responsibility for employers, particularly federal contractors. Non-compliance triggers can indicate potential risks, even if discrimination is not intentional. By proactively identifying and addressing these issues, organizations can mitigate legal risks and strengthen their compliance programs.  This guide highlights some of the most common non-compliance triggers that…
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3 Things the OFCCP is Focusing on for Robust Enforcement in 2025

    As 2025 approaches, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is preparing for a significant ramp-up in its enforcement of federal contractor employment regulations. Despite challenges such as being understaffed, the agency is determined to carry out an ambitious agenda aimed at ensuring equal employment opportunities and strengthening affirmative action compliance. Here’s…
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