As the sun sets on Executive Order 11246, a landmark directive that shaped affirmative action compliance for nearly 60 years, a new chapter in civil rights enforcement begins. Executive Order 14173, signed early in 2025, represents a fundamental shift—from mandate-driven affirmative action for women and minorities to a universal, merit-based approach to nondiscrimination for all…
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A recent EEOC lawsuit shows why federal contractors must continue to be proactive in preventing workplace discrimination. A Wake-Up Call from the EEOC On Friday, July 18, 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a $360,000 settlement with Frontier Hot-Dip Galvanizing, a Buffalo-based steel company. This case should concern every federal contractor. The…
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When Sapphire Tech, a mid-sized federal contractor in the heart of Colorado, set out to redesign its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), it wasn’t in response to a crisis or a public relations need. It was driven by a simple but bold vision: to create a workplace where every American could thrive regardless…
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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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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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