The final day of the 2016 ILG National Conference wrapped up with a morning of breakout sessions, a keynote address from Beverly Bond, and ended on a high note with the ever-favorite Expert Panel.

This year the experts each shared their top conference “take-aways” which included:

  • Understanding that OFCCP is “going out swinging” in the last months of the Obama administration with audits that are expansive in both breadth and depth;
  • Recognizing we are still on the cusp of cultural change with respect to transgender issues;
  • Realizing employers shouldn’t “wait until the perfect opportunity to take steps to mitigate workplace risk”;
  • Developing solutions for compliance issues that take into consideration that “silos are out and comprehensive approaches are in”;
  • Looking out for “aggregating, aggregating, aggregating” by the Agency in compliance reviews; and,
  • Identifying there is “a checkerboard of government obligations for government contractors” that individuals should “step out of their lane” to help their organizations identify.

The panel’s recap of other topics discussed during the conference highlighted the fact contractors will continue to be challenged to implement new obligations and maneuver the ever-changing compliance landscape.  In the word’s of John Geier – “it’s not your grandma’s OFCCP anymore.”

This year’s conference provided a wealth of information for contractors and we look forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio in 2017!

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Photo of Laura A. Mitchell Laura A. Mitchell

As co-leader of the firm’s ESG group, Laura Mitchell partners with her clients to evaluate, set, achieve and monitor their organizational culture and human capital goals. She focuses her practice on data analytics, including pay equity and other employee analytics, working side-by-side with…

As co-leader of the firm’s ESG group, Laura Mitchell partners with her clients to evaluate, set, achieve and monitor their organizational culture and human capital goals. She focuses her practice on data analytics, including pay equity and other employee analytics, working side-by-side with employers to build programs that benefit employees and create a stable, high-functioning workplace. Understanding that an inclusive, values-based culture provides a crucial competitive advantage in the modern workplace, Laura enjoys counseling companies on the development of proactive and equitable pay and diversity practices.

In Laura’s version of the reimagined workplace, attention to human capital issues, especially DEI and pay equity, would be the rule rather than the exception nationwide and she works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize this vision for her clients’ ongoing success. She helps clients understand all issues across the spectrum of their journey, helping to establish regular analyses as well as counseling organizations on implementation and compliance obligations, where applicable. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication.

Laura also represents companies in OFCCP matters, preparing for and defending OFCCP audits, and counseling employers on issues stemming from OFCCP regulations. She personally oversees the development of hundreds of Affirmative Action Plans for clients each year and is intimately involved in the defense of OFCCP audits. Her approach to compliance is one of facilitation and conciliation while simultaneously advocating in the best interests of her clients.