Day two of the 2018 ILG National Conference has concluded and it was another day packed with information and insights for attendees.

Riding the “waves of change”, over the past two days OFCCP and officials from the U.S. Department of Labor Solicitor’s Office as well as the EEOC, have shared their insights, thoughts, and new initiatives and desires for enforcement and compliance.

Yesterday, in addition to releasing the “What Contractors Can Expect” expectations, Acting Director Craig Leen commented on a number of initiatives and “things in the works” in the OFCCP National Office.  As part of his discussion of OFCCP’s four points of focus, Acting Director Leen shared additional details about the Agency’s plans.

  1. Transparency
    • The Agency is exploring the idea of issuing Opinion Letters to address topics on which they get questions.
  2. Certainty
  3. Efficiency
    1. Citing the “unacceptable” length of its aged cases, Acting Director Leen shared the Agency is looking at ways to try to complete desk audits in 45 days.  Acting Deputy Director Marika Litras echoed ta similar commitment to more efficient reviews during her presentation to conference attendees Thursday morning.
  4. Recognition
    • Acknowledging the interest from the contractor community to bring back recognition awards Acting Director Leen shared the Agency is exploring the possibility.

Acting Director Leen also highlighted the Agency’s commitment to 100% compliance to every protected group as part of its responsibility and commitment to all.  As part of this commitment, he shared the Agency is looking to bring back focused reviews to check compliance with Section 503 and VEVRAA -noting they are exploring the possibility that a portion of establishments selected for audit would be subject to the focused reviews.

In his Thursday afternoon break-out session on Leading Practices in Disability Inclusion, Acting Director Leen expanded further on his vision for the focused reviews in the Section 503 space.  Specifically, the reviews would include:

  • an on-site visit
  • interviews with managers and ADA Coordinators to learn about the company’s practices
  • review of accommodation practices

He also shared, that as part of these focused reviews, he would like OFCCP to look into the hiring and promotion practices of the establishment, as well as an evaluation of the accommodation process to ensure it is not discriminatory or retaliatory.

In his impassioned address, Acting Director Leen emphasized

inclusion is good for business  . . . when people feel welcome they succeed.

There is a plethora of information being shared and discussed among presenters and conference attendees and we are looking forward to the Acting Director’s impressions and concluding remarks tomorrow as the conference comes to a close.

Tags: 2018 ILG National Conference, Acting Director Craig Leen, EEOC, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, individuals with disabilities, OFCCP, Office of Federal Contract Compliace Programs, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation act
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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.

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