compliance audit

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DOJ Suit Against MPS Highlights Employers’ Obligation to Maintain Merit-Based, Identity-Neutral Employment Practices

By / 12.22.2025 / No Comments

On Dec. 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), alleging unlawful race- and sex-based employment practices embedded in the district’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA). According to the complaint, MPS prioritized teachers who belonged to “underrepresented populations,” set explicit numerical staffing goals for “BIPOC” employees, and…
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OFCCP Portal: Certifying Affirmative Action Programs (AAPs) Ends June 30th

By / 5.31.2022 / No Comments

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) officially launched its new contractor portal for Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) verification on February 1, 2022. As a result, federal contractors who meet jurisdictional thresholds must now register for the portal and: Annually certify that they have a current AAP and are in compliance with OFCCP affirmative…
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October is Disability Awareness Month: What Federal Contractors Need to Know

By / 10.26.2021 / No Comments

In celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department of Labor has declared this year’s theme: “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.”   “Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Their contributions have historically been vital…
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OFCCP Settlements Zero In on Equal Pay and Hiring

By / 10.19.2021 / No Comments

A spate of recent conciliation agreements released by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) shows that the agency is making good on its promise to enforce equal pay and hiring rules. Equal pay has been a stated focus of the agency even before the Biden administration, which has promised to keep equal pay…
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OFCCP Director Highlights Universities’ Equal Pay Missteps

By / 7.21.2021 / No Comments

Federal contracts are lucrative but come with their share of burdensome compliance obligations. Among others, these include equal employment opportunity and affirmative action requirements that are enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Universities and colleges that provide contract services, like research, for the federal government are no exception to these requirements….
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