It’s a wrap – the 2024 National ILG Conference has officially come to an end! The final morning of the conference brought remarks from EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows, a panel discussion with OFCCP Regional Directors and final thoughts from the NILG Advisory Council – all interspersed with inspiring videos from conference sponsors CVS and Pepsi.

Chair Burrows’ comments started with the history and foundation for EEOC’s work. She noted this is a “good time to reflect on the bold step the nation took” in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which she believes has made a “stronger, better and fairer America.”

She highlighted the Agency’s work this year to release guidance on harassment and protections for pregnant workers and shared EEOC’s perspective on the continued importance of (and place for) DEIA in the workplace.

Chair Burrows’ remarks culminated with a look into the future work of the agency in the area of artificial intelligence which she deemed a “new civil rights frontier.”

As always, Chair Burrows was gracious and appreciative of NILG’s continued partnership.

Following the EEOC update, attendees heard from all five OFCCP Regional Directors in what has become a conference favorite closing session.

Regional Directors Carmen Navarro (Midwest), Jane Suhn (Pacific), Ronnie Sullivan (SWARM), Diana Sen (Northeast and Southeast) and Sam Maiden (MidAtlantic) shared their thoughts on questions from moderators about contractor challenges, successful or promising practices and approaches to Agency review of Artificial Intelligence.

Several themes emerged in their responses:

  1. OFCCP, and the Regional Directors personally, appreciate the collaboration and partnership the conference fosters and encourage contractors to continue that once the conference ends.
  2. Recordkeeping continues to be a challenge for contractors.
  3. Early resolution is beneficial for both sides.
  4. Leadership and contractor engagement is important for successful compliance.

To close out the conference, the NILG Advisory Council provided their insights into the discussions and learnings of the week in the areas of pay groupings, audit best practices, Supreme Court cases impacting DEI and agency deference and artificial intelligence, among others.

We had an amazing week in Orlando and we look forward to doing it again next year in Washington, D.C. at the 2025 National ILG Conference. Safe travels and see you next year!

Tags: 2024 National ILG Conference, 2024 NILG Conference, EEOC, Equal Employment Opportunity Commision, NILG, OFCCP, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
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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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