Coronavirus or not, the OFCCP is not hitting the "pause" button on compliance reviews.
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs published an announcement today regarding its response to the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier this week, the agency issued a national exemption regarding some of the equal opportunity requirements for new contractors that are assisting the federal government with responding the national pandemic.
For existing contractors, however, the OFCCP apparently thinks it is basically business as usual. Despite the shutdown of most workplaces, the OFCCP announced that it "will continue its compliance reviews, focused reviews, and complaint investigations." Instead of conducting physical onsites at contractors' premises, the OFCCP plans to "maximize use of every alternative resource available, such as WebEx, Skype, and phones to conduct interviews and complete our evaluations." The OFCCP also stated that it "will remain flexible" and allow "reasonable extensions where needed."
I kid you not.
Contractors needing assistance with an existing compliance evaluation or obtaining extensions from the OFCCP are encouraged to contact a member of our Affirmative Action/OFCCP Compliance Practice Group.
Stay safe out there!
PartnerCara co-chairs Constangy’s practice groups relating to EEO/Contractor Compliance, Reporting & Analytics, and DEI Compliance. She advises employers on proactive strategies to help avoid litigation and has defended employers ...
From developments in pay equity and changing requirements in data reporting, to DEI risk mitigation, Title VII compliance, and shifts in enforcement of Section 503 & VEVRAA, the EEO Compliance Dispatch blog is designed to keep employers informed and ahead of the curve.
Whether you’re a federal contractor navigating audits, an HR professional tackling pay transparency, or in-house counsel tracking state and local reporting requirements, our updates, legal analysis, and compliance strategies are tailored to help you manage risk and support a more inclusive workplace.
