Federal Contracting (OFCCP) Essentials

Contractors and subcontractors who do business with the federal government are subject to the rules of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). These rules require contractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities. Each contractor must develop a written affirmative action program (AAP). "Equal opportunity" clauses in federal contracts impose specific compliance requirements on contractors. The course covers the rules adopted by OFCCP in August 2013 that impose certain new affirmative action requirements on contractors regarding persons with disabilities and protected veterans. It also covers Executive Order 13672 — signed by President Obama in July 2014 — which added sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes.

The OFCCP has a very active compliance-evaluation program, and material violations of OFCCP rules can result in significant sanctions against the contractor, making OFCCP training crucial to a culture of compliance. It is critical that HR employees understand — and properly implement — the OFCCP requirements regarding AAPs, maintenance of employee facilities, employee notification, recordkeeping, and others.

The topics covered in the course include:

• The law of the OFCCP
• Protected classes
• Equal opportunity clauses
• Affirmative action programs
• Statistical analysis
• Selection procedures
• Recordkeeping obligations
• Notification of employee rights
• Compliance evaluations
• Enforcement and sanctions