Following are highlights from Director Patricia Shiu’s keynote speech delivered yesterday, July 27, at the Industry Liaison Group (ILG) 2011 National Convention
With regard to Enforcement and Agenda:
· The OFCCP staff has increased by 35% in the past two years.
· There is a concerted effort to shift toward more thorough and careful compliance reviews.
· More focused reviews are being conducted with respect to people with disabilities, protected veterans and pay discrimination.
· OFCCP is conducting outreach efforts to make sure that employees know that the OFCCP has their backs, and will be their advocate.
· In the first half of 2011, OFCCP has hosted nearly 1,000 outreach events directed to community-based groups, veterans’ service organizations, labor unions, employer associations, civil rights leaders, small business owners, first time contractors and directly to workers.
· Regulations are being revised – “we are going to put some teeth in them and strengthen affirmative action requirements for contractors”.
· Under the Obama administration, almost $25 million in back wages and interest for more than 42,000 victims of discrimination has been negotiated.
With regard to upcoming changes to Regulations and Guidance:
Veterans
· OFCCP is in the process of reviewing the public comments on proposed updates to Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.
· The proposed revisions would require that federal contractors and subcontractors conduct more substantive analyses and would require the use of numerical targets.
People with Disabilities
· In the coming weeks, a series of proposed revisions to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will be published for public comment.
· The proposed revisions will be a “game-changer”.
Equal Pay
· Eliminating discrimination in compensation is a critical priority for this administration and for OFCCP.
· A new guidance on compensation discrimination will be issued
Sex Discrimination
· A new item has been added to the regulatory agenda on sex discrimination.
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