Hello everyone and welcome to Texas!

While activities technically started yesterday with pre-conference sessions and the vendor reception last night, today is the official start of the 2017 ILG National Conference.  The conference kicked-off with a live Mariachi Band and festive dancers in brightly colored traditional outfits – a great welcome to San Antonio for all in attendance.

The morning’s keynote address was given by OFCCP Interim Director Tom Dowd.  Tom mentioned briefly the Agency’s work to transition under the Trump administration, stating the process was still on-going and stated only that he’s been asked to speak to both the Senate and the House regarding the proposed merger of OFCCP with EEOC, without commenting further.

Tom spent the majority of his address emphasizing his vision for the agency to work harder on compliance assistance and communicating with the contractor community. For the first time in ILG conference history, Tom asked all of the OFCCP Regional Directors to attend the conference so they could hear from the contractor community directly.

Transparency and direct communications with contractors were two big themes of Tom’s speech which fed into his larger goal for the agency – to improve its relationship with contractors.  Tom shared several of his visions for the agency, including a training program, where by contractors could “earn” a pass from compliance reviews for 2 -3 years if they successfully completed a yet-to-be-developed agency training program.  Another is the idea to bring back public acknowledgement for contractors that demonstrate commitment to EEO.  Throughout his speech, Tom reaffirmed that a “vast majority’ of contractors – approximately 98% – are in compliance.

In closing, Tom emphasized his desire to use the conference as a way for OFCCP and the contractor community to interact – asking specifically for contractor suggestions and comments on creative and innovative ways for the two groups to work together.  This week should offer lots of opportunities to do just that.

Tags: 2017 ILG National Conference, Industry Liaison Group, OFCCP, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Tom Dowd
Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
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.

Read more about Laura A. Mitchell
Show more Show less
Related Posts
Day One of the NILG 2023 National Conference Kicks-off In Phoenix, Arizona
August 2, 2023
NILG 2022 National Conference Wrap Up
July 28, 2022
Opening Day of NILG 2022 National Conference
July 26, 2022