Photo 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.

OFCCP has announced finalization of the Agency’s “updated” Supply and Service Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing. As a reminder, OFCCP initially proposed significant changes to the letter, which initiates a compliance review for scheduled contractors, in 2022. Following significant public comment, OFCCP published a slightly revised proposed letter earlier this year.

Notably, the Itemized Listing

On August 3, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) published its final Pre-Enforcement Notice and Conciliation Procedures rule in the Federal Register.  It will go into effect on September 5, 2023.  OFCCP will host an informational session regarding the rule on September 5, 2023.

OFCCP issued this final rule after collecting comments

The second day of the NILG 2023 National Conference did not disappoint.  The day kicked off with regional ILG’s breakfasting with their respective OFCCP Regional Directors followed by a keynote address from EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows.

Chair Burrows opened her remarks by thanking NILG for being a “steadfast partner” in the important work EEOC does

As previewed yesterday in OFCCP Interim Director Michelle Hodge’s keynote remarks during the opening day of the NILG 2023 National Conference, OFCCP has released the final rule on “procedures for identifying and remedying discrimination in federal contracting.” Commonly referred to as the PDN rule, the Pre-Enforcement Notice and Conciliation Procedures rule will be officially published

Day One of the NILG 2023 National Conference is in full swing. Not deterred by the outdoor temperatures, conference attendees, presenters, vendors and Agency representatives enjoyed a first day’s agenda overflowing with informative sessions where “ideas are nurtured and knowledge is exchanged” as part of this year’s conference theme of “Transforming for Tomorrow.”

The Opening

As a reminder, the deadline to implement the latest, updated version of the Section 503 voluntary disability self-ID form is July 25, 2023.

The OMB approved revised form, including versions in various languages, is available on OFCCP’s website.

OFCCP also provides a number of Frequently Asked Questions regarding implementation of the form that contractors