In budget measures last week both the U.S. Senate and House signaled the proposed merger between OFCCP and EEOC will soon be nothing but a distant memory. This action comes on the heels of a recent letter from OFCCP Acting Director Tom Dowd who also questioned the efficiency of the proposed merger in light of
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.
Additional Information for 2017 EEO-1 Reporting
Following the announcement placing the EEO-1 pay data requirement on indefinite hold, the EEO-1 Joint Reporting Committee has clarified open questions regarding the details for 2017 EEO-1 Reports. In an e-mail sent to report filers, the Committee clarified:
- The deadline to file EEO-1 reports for 2017 is March 31, 2018;
- The Reports must
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Update on OFCCP/EEOC Merger
In a recent letter responding to an inquiry regarding the proposed merger between OFCCP and EEOC, Acting OFCCP Director Tom Dowd detailed the regulatory requirements to undertake a merger, which would take effect in 2019. He also suggested interim alternatives exist to achieve the efficiencies intended by the merger, implying the proposed merger is…
BREAKING NEWS: Pay Data Reporting Obligation Postponed Indefinitely
We have learned the Office of Information Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has decided to postpone indefinitely effectiveness of the newly created pay data reporting component of the annual EEO-1 report. In a letter addressed to Acting EEOC Chair, Victoria Lipnic, OIRA explained it has stayed the effectiveness of the new obligation to take time…
OFCCP Announces Dates for Contractor Town Hall Meetings
Following up on Interim Director Tom Dowd’s recent commitment for more agency transparency and communication, OFCCP has announced three upcoming town hall meetings. In its announcement, OFCCP stated the purpose of the town halls were to obtain contractor views and learn about contractor experiences implementing and managing nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity requirements to…
EEOC Update from ILG National Conference
Day two of the 2017 ILG National Conference is in the books. Conference attendees had a variety of sessions to choose from that covered topics across the spectrum. The morning, however, kicked-off with a much anticipated keynote address from Acting EEOC Commissioner Victoria Lipnic. Commission Lipnic spoke at last year’s conference, prior to…
Greetings from San Antonio – Home of the 2017 ILG National Conference
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…
Important Clarification Received Regarding 2018 VETS-4212 Filings
It’s that time of year again to start preparing for the annual required VETS-4212 filing. Nothing will change for this year (2017) reporting cycle. Starting August 1, 2017, contractors will be able to file their 2017 reports through the reporting portal. Note, anything filed before August 1, 2017 will be recorded as part of…
What’s on OFCCP’s Agenda?
The short answer to this question is not much, or so it seems.
Part of the reason for this is likely the fact we are still awaiting selection of a new OFCCP Director. Deputy OFCCP Director Thomas M. Dowd currently continues in the position of Acting Director and we’ve not heard any news regarding…
Breaking News: EEOC/OFCCP Proposed Merger Resulting in Unexpected Allies
As we speculated yesterday, the White House’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2018 proposes to merge the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
In the proposed budget, released this morning, the OFCCP would see its budget reduced from $105 million to approximately $88 million and have…