Part I: What Recent DOJ Investigations Reveal About Compliance Risks for Federal Contractors

Recent actions by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) should serve as a wake-up call for federal contractors and employers nationwide. In June 2026, the DOJ launched an investigation into alleged race discrimination at the City University of New York (CUNY) involving its Black Male Initiative program. The Department is examining whether educational opportunities and…
Read More

The EEOC’s Title VII Enforcement Transformation: Why Employers Must Reevaluate Their Employment Practices Now

Part II of II: From Compliance to Prevention—Best Practices to Reduce Title VII and False Claims Act Risk As the EEOC continues to increase enforcement activity involving race- and sex-based employment practices, employers should view compliance as a proactive risk-management strategy rather than a reactive exercise. The most successful organizations will be those that identify…
Read More

Part 2 – Why Workforce Analytics May Matter More Than Ever: The Rise of Merit-Based Compliance Under EO 14398

As federal contractors adjust to the rapidly evolving compliance environment surrounding Executive Order 14398 and FAR 52.222-90, many employers are asking an increasingly common question: Should we stop conducting workforce analytics altogether? For some organizations, concern surrounding DEI enforcement has created hesitation about reviewing hiring, promotion, compensation, or workforce demographic data. That reaction may be…
Read More

EEOC Issues Reminder: Title VII Applies to DEI Initiatives: Employers Urged to Ensure Compliance

Federal Contractors & Employers Must Align DEI Policies With Anti-Discrimination Law Washington, D.C. — February 2026 — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published a reminder highlighting employers’ obligations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as they relate to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, a message that federal contractors and private employers should take…
Read More

A New Enforcement Focus: When “Preference” Becomes Discrimination Against U.S. Workers

When employers think about discrimination risk, they usually focus on familiar protected categories such as race, sex, ethnicity, age, disability, or religion. But a recent settlement announced by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) underscores a growing and less understood enforcement area: discrimination against U.S. workers based on citizenship and…
Read More