EO 14173: The Future of Civil Rights Enforcement for Federal Contractors

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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Staying Ahead of the Curve: Compliance Under EO 14173

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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EO 11246 in Context: What Federal Contractors Need to Know About OFCCP’s Recent Invitation

The newly appointed Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has sent an email, June 27, 2025, inviting federal contractors to voluntarily report how they have wound down their compliance with Executive Order (EO) 11246. The letter asserts that EO 11246 encouraged discriminatory practices such as race- or sex-based quotas and implies…
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