As previewed in the Spring regulatory agenda, the Office of Federal Compliance Contract Programs (OFCCP) has proposed a new rule to clarify aspects of a religious exemption available to federal contractors. In the proposed rule, the agency said it intends to address concerns from religious organizations that ambiguity in the exemption left them
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 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.
OFCCP Introduces Ombudsman and Online Contractor Assistance Portal
Though we may be in the height of summer, there is no slowing down for OFCCP. Following last week’s ILG National Conference, OFCCP has continued to release additional guidance and assistance for contractors. Most recently, OFCCP has introduced its Ombudsperson and unveiled a Contractor Assistance Portal.
In September 2018, OFCCP first announced…
OFCCP Releases New Technical Assistance Guides
Under the leadership of Craig Leen, OFCCP has made a renewed commitment to providing technical assistance to contractors. True to their word, and in furtherance of its Town Hall Action Plan, OFCCP announced on Friday the release of a number of new technical assistance guides (TAGs), with more on the way. Interestingly, Director…
Closing Day of the 2019 ILG National Conference
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…
EEOC Commissioner Victoria Lipnic Kicks Off Day 2 of the 2019 ILG National Conference
Day 2 of the 2019 ILG National Conference in Milwaukee started with a favorite guest – EEOC Commissioner Victoria Lipnic. Commissioner Lipnic last addressed the ILG National Conference in 2016, during which time, as she reminded attendees, she was likewise talking about pay data reporting, she had just created the Chief Data Officer role at…
Opening Day of the 2019 ILG National Conference
The 2019 ILG National Conference being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has officially begun.
OFCCP Director Craig Leen opened the conference with an energized keynote addressed that touched on the agency’s work on behalf of individuals with disabilities and veterans, as well as OFCCP’s continued action in furtherance of the four “bedrock” principles announced at last…
EEOC Update on Component 2 Filing
As required, EEOC has filed its scheduled update with the Court regarding the progress of collection of the new EEO-1 Component 2 pay data report.
The report is brief, but notes EEOC is still on schedule to allow a data file upload function and validation process as an additional method of reporting no later than…
OFCCP Issues New Guidance on Validation, Practical Significance, and Project-Based Workers
The official rules and authority that govern OFCCP’s actions are set forth in the federal regulations at 41 CFR 60. These regulations go through notice and comment, as well as substantive review to ensure the appropriate balance of OFCCP’s jurisdiction and tools against the burden they pose on the contractor community. Due to the…
OFCCP Rolls Out Changes to its Functional Affirmative Action Plan Program
Functional affirmative action plans (FAAPs) are not new. While the regulations require AAPs be prepared on an establishment-basis, OFCCP has permitted contractors to structure their AAPs by “function” or “business unit” – with Agency approval.
Implicitly, the Agency’s 2013 Directive on the subject recognized that business structures had evolved since the 1960s. Establishment-centered chains of…
Mergers and Acquisitions and Other Guidance Published for Component 2 Pay Data Reporting
In an effort to provide additional guidance to employers navigating the new Component 2 pay data filing requirements, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and NORC have just updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) with respect to how employers experiencing mergers, acquisitions, and spinoffs during 2017 and 2018 should be filing their 2017 and 2018…