Proactive Compliance in the Post-EO 14173 Era: A Practical Guide to Self-Auditing

Eight months after the issuance of Executive Order 14173, the federal contracting community has entered a new compliance era, one defined not by the creation of Affirmative Action Plans, but by the ability to prove nondiscrimination through certification. The transition from Executive Order 11246 to EO 14173 may have simplified paperwork, but it also raised…
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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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Understanding Anti-Discrimination Laws in the Workplace and Best Practices

In today’s complex employment landscape, fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace is not just a moral imperative, it is a legal one. Federal and state laws provide extensive protections against discrimination, requiring employers to adopt proactive measures to prevent bias, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. This article explores the key anti-discrimination laws, employer responsibilities,…
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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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