This week, newly appointed OFCCP Director Ondray T. Harris, along with Special Advisor, Craig Leen, and Director of Policy, Debra Carr, held a series of meetings with various stakeholder groups from the federal contractor and civil rights communities. This was the first opportunity for many who regularly work with OFCCP to meet Director Harris
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 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.
EEO-1 Survey Portal Open for Reporting
The portal is now open for employers to file their 2017 EEO-1 Surveys. The deadline to file this year is March 31, 2018. Following a reprieve in 2017, this will be employers’ first filing since the Fall of 2016. While giving employers a break from reporting, the hiatus also allowed the EEO-1 Joint Reporting…
It’s Time to be Thinking about your 2018 EEO-1 Reports
Now that you’ve successfully filed your 2017 VETS-4212 reports, it’s time to focus on EEO-1 reporting. Most employers are not accustomed to focusing on EEO-1 reporting going into a new year, but following the filing reprieve in 2017, employers need to make sure they are prepared to file in 2018.
As previously reported, federal…
Breaking News: New OFCCP Director Identified
The U.S. Department of Labor has quietly identified a new Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. An industry news outlet is reporting DOL has confirmed Ondray T. Harris will be the new head of the agency. A new update to OFCCP’s website lists him as the Director of the Agency. Interim…
Still No New Director for OFCCP
As of today, OFCCP remains without a new director. According to Bloomberg News, an industry news outlet, the Department of Labor has confirmed Craig Leen has begun work as a “senior advisor” within OFCCP. No additional information regarding his role was provided. We will provide additional updates and details as we learn them.
BREAKING NEWS: Craig Leen Anticipated To Be New OFCCP Director
In an unexpected, but much awaited move, it is anticipated Craig Leen will be named as the new head of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”). While the Department of Labor has not formally confirmed or commented on this development, Leen’s appointment would come more than a year after Patricia Shiu departed the…
Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors Increased Effective January 1, 2018
Effective January 1, 2018, the minimum wage for federal contractors working on or in connection with contracts covered by Executive Order 13658 will be $10.35/ hour. The announcement was made via posting in the federal register on September 15, 2017. The wage rate for tipped employees will also increase to $7.25/hour.
This is the third…
VETS-4212 Filing Deadline Extended
VETS has announced a 45-day extension to the 2017 VETS-4212 filing deadline. The deadline has been extended from September 30, 2017 to November 15, 2017. In a post on it’s website, VETS stated
NOTICE: In order to accommodate the needs of those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Federal contractors who file their VETS-4212
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U.S. Senate Opposes OFCCP/EEOC Merger Proposal
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…
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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