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New guidelines highlight what contractors can expect when doing business with the federal government

Federal Employment Law

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The Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently published guidelines clarifying expectations for interactions between OFCCP and companies doing business with the federal government, contractors and subcontractors.

Among other things, OFCCP recommitted to timely and efficient progress of compliance evaluations, reasonable opportunities to discuss compliance evaluation concerns, and opportunities to provide feedback on the quality of the agency’s compliance assistance offerings.

Specifically, OFCCP guidelines, entitled “What Federal Contractors Can Expect,” outline the following expectations for contractors:

The guidelines now prohibit contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against applicants or employees because they inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations.

These new provisions are an addition to the OFCCP’s three current equal employment opportunity laws that make it illegal for contractors and subcontractors to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Specifically, the OFCCP enforces:

 

Equal employment opportunity and protection of religious freedom
In addition to the guidelines, the OFCCP also announced two new policy directives focused on ensuring equal employment opportunity and religious freedom.

The equal employment opportunity directive calls for more comprehensive reviews of contractor compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, and the religious freedom directive protects the rights of religion-exercising organizations.

An attorney experienced in assisting federal employees and government contractors with obtaining security clearances can provide more information about the impact of the OFCCP’s guidelines and directives as well as their impact on contractors.

 

Danel A. Dufresne, Esq. is Senior Counsel in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Security Clearance Practice Group in San Diego. He assists federal employees, government contractors and military personnel in all stages of obtaining confidential, secret, or top secret clearances.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

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