Who will lead the OFCCP under a new Trump administration?  The short is answer is we still don’t know. 

As we previously reported, OFCCP Director Pat Shiu left the Agency in the days following the election.  Deputy Director, Tom Dowd, a seasoned OFCCP official, has now taken the reins as the “Interim Acting Director” and will remain in place until a new leader is announced by the incoming administration.  Shortly before Director Shiu announced her departure, she obtained approval for the creation of a new leadership position within OFCCP – Director of Enforcement.  This position, which was given to Marika Litras, a senior OFCCP official, was created to “help the agency remain steadfast in carrying out its enforcement mission.”  Dr. Litras was previously the Director of the Division of Program Operations (DPO) for OFCCP.

 In the past, the new Secretary of Labor has provided input on the selection of Department directors, including OFCCP.  Present-elect Trump recently announced Andy Puzder, a pro-employer businessman, as his nominee for Secretary of Labor.  Puzder’s impact on OFCCP remains to be seen, however, his selection is certainly being touted as a “good thing” for employers in terms of reversing the recent trend of increased regulation on contractors.  Even now that Present-elect Trump has identified Puzder to head up the Department of Labor we will still have to wait to see who gets the nod to head up OFCCP.  As always, stay tuned for future developments.

 

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Photo of Laura A. Mitchell Laura A. Mitchell

Laura Mitchell is a principal in the Denver office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leads the firm’s Workplace Analytics and Preventive Strategies Pay Equity subgroup. She partners with employers to evaluate, develop and implement policies and practices that ensure workplace fairness while mitigating…

Laura Mitchell is a principal in the Denver office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leads the firm’s Workplace Analytics and Preventive Strategies Pay Equity subgroup. She partners with employers to evaluate, develop and implement policies and practices that ensure workplace fairness while mitigating legal risk. Laura is a guiding force in the firm’s most specialized and technical practice areas where she leverages an analytics-focused approach to partner with her clients in building legally compliant programs around which they can anchor their workplaces achieving productivity and stability.

Laura understands that creating a competitive advantage for employers in today’s workplace involves using a data-driven approach to counsel companies on the development of proactive and equitable non-discriminatory practices in hiring, promotions, separations and pay—and where advancements in technology can create both opportunities for efficiencies and risk that can be measured. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost while balancing legal risk, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication. Staying the course with employers across their organizational journey while balancing legal compliance obligations throughout their employees’ lifecycle ensures Laura’s position as a go-to resource.

Laura works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize the combined vision of legal compliance, increased productivity and economic growth enhanced by a focus on pay equity.  As part of the pay equity journey, she advises employers on the evolving pay transparency landscape, working to align compliant practices with the practical realities of the business world.

Laura partners closely with government contractors to understand, implement and demonstrate compliance with their EEO regulatory and compliance obligations. She also works closely with non-government contractor clients to conduct risk assessments of their programs, policies, and training to align with federal and state anti-discrimination requirements.

Laura is the editor and a principal contributor of the GovCon Employment Exchange blog and presents on pay equity and government contractor obligations. To round out her days, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and friends attending sports events, working out, riding her bike, playing pickleball and taking in Colorado’s incomparable sunsets.