Who will lead the OFCCP under a new Trump administration?  The short is answer is we still don’t know. 

As we previously reported, OFCCP Director Pat Shiu left the Agency in the days following the election.  Deputy Director, Tom Dowd, a seasoned OFCCP official, has now taken the reins as the “Interim Acting Director” and will remain in place until a new leader is announced by the incoming administration.  Shortly before Director Shiu announced her departure, she obtained approval for the creation of a new leadership position within OFCCP – Director of Enforcement.  This position, which was given to Marika Litras, a senior OFCCP official, was created to “help the agency remain steadfast in carrying out its enforcement mission.”  Dr. Litras was previously the Director of the Division of Program Operations (DPO) for OFCCP.

 In the past, the new Secretary of Labor has provided input on the selection of Department directors, including OFCCP.  Present-elect Trump recently announced Andy Puzder, a pro-employer businessman, as his nominee for Secretary of Labor.  Puzder’s impact on OFCCP remains to be seen, however, his selection is certainly being touted as a “good thing” for employers in terms of reversing the recent trend of increased regulation on contractors.  Even now that Present-elect Trump has identified Puzder to head up the Department of Labor we will still have to wait to see who gets the nod to head up OFCCP.  As always, stay tuned for future developments.

 

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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.