Well, another ILG National Conference is in the books.  This year’s conference highlighted the continued return to a more collaborative relationship between contractors and OFCCP as well as the agency’s commitment to its four principles.

On the final day of the conference, attendees heard from practitioners as well as a panel of OFCCP Regional Directors, Office of the Solicitor , OFCCP leadership, and again from Director Leen who closed out the conference with a short Question & Answer session.

The Regional Directors and Solicitor panel shared information on OFCCP’s New Student Worker FAQ as well as the agency’s treatment of foreign nationals during audits.  They also discussed the available guidance on pre-employment testing and the status of current training being provided to Compliance Officers to get them prepared to undertake Focused Reviews.

The panel also credited contractors for improving the timeliness of submissions while also acknowledging that improvements can still be made in recordkeeping.  They also encouraged contractors to do more “cross training of employees.”

In his closing comments to the conference, Director Leen discussed his intent behind the ability to obtain an extension during an audit with the timely submission of a contractors affirmative action plan as well as the expectation contractors should be receiving, proactively, information from compliance officers as to any findings at the end of the desk audit.

In the area of “breaking news” Director Leen announced OFCCP’s has completed its search for an Ombudsperson, who will start the position on Monday, August 5, 2019.  And finally, he shared with conference-goers that he has instructed OFCCP staff to review parental leave policies for equity.  This is a good reminder for contractors to review OFCCP’s FAQs on the matter.

All-in-all this year’s conference seems to be a success.  There is a lot on the agenda for OFCCP and, if the conference is any indication, the relationship between the Agency and contractors seems to be headed back in the right direction.

We are already looking forward to seeing you in 2020 in National Harbor, Maryland for an election-year ILG National Conference!

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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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