As its first official act of the 2025 Fiscal Year, OFCCP announced the release of a revised Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing for Construction contractors. The release follows the Agency’s February 2024 publication of proposed changes to the letter and despite its release on October 2, 2024 will apply to any construction audits initiated
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.
2024 National ILG (NILG) Conference – Closing Day
It’s a wrap – the 2024 National ILG Conference has officially come to an end! The final morning of the conference brought remarks from EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows, a panel discussion with OFCCP Regional Directors and final thoughts from the NILG Advisory Council – all interspersed with inspiring videos from conference sponsors CVS and Pepsi.…
2024 National ILG (NILG) Conference – Day 2
After a stormy Orlando evening (complete with a double-rainbow) conference goers awoke to clear skies and a beautiful sunrise to start Day 2 of the 2024 National ILG Conference.
Following a “State of the NILG” update and the presentation of the Lois Baumerich award (congratulations Valerie Vickers!) conference attendees were off to hear from industry…
Updates from the 2024 National ILG Conference – Day 1
Orlando, FL – This year’s National ILG Conference started off in traditional fashion with the presentation of the flag and the National Anthem followed by a touching performance from the Childrens Choir of Orlando.
Attending the conference for a second time in her current capacity, Acting OFCCP Director Michelle Hodge opened the conference with remarks…
OFCCP Releases Expedited Conciliation Procedures Directive
Ahead of the start of the 2024 National ILG Conference, OFCCP announced today publication of Directive 2024-01: Expedited Conciliation Procedures.
In its announcement OFCCP described the directive as
outlining updated procedures for an expedited conciliation option, giving contractors and the agency flexibility in the resolution of violations.
More specifically, OFCCP explained the new…
BREAKING NEWS: OFCCP Releases New Audit Scheduling List (CSAL)
OFCCP released today a new list of supply and services contractors and subcontractors selected for audit (FY 2024 CSAL Supply & Service Scheduling List, Release – 1). The list identifies 500 compliance reviews among approximately 462 companies.
The Agency also published an explanation of the methodology used to select a pool of the contractors and…
On the Horizon: New Standards for Collecting and Presenting Race and Ethnicity Data
As organizations are preparing and filing the 2023 EEO-1 Data Collection reports, (deadline is June 4th) there’s a change on the horizon for future reporting.
For the first time in over twenty-five years, in March, 2024 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a set of proposed revisions to Statistical Policy Directive…
OFCCP Releases New Artificial Intelligence Guidance
OFCCP announced this morning the release of a new Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) landing page. The landing page, which encourages readers to “check back often for updates” contains links to the Agency’s thoughts about the use of AI in federal contractors’ employment processes.
Following a link labeled Artificial Intelligence and Equal Employment Opportunity for Federal…
OFCCP Releases Updated Annual Veteran Hiring Benchmark
Effective March 31, 2024, the VEVRAA hiring benchmark will be 5.2%. The new benchmark is 0.2% lower than the previous benchmark of 5.4% and continues the Agency’s trend of reducing the benchmark each year. Since it’s inception in 2014, the benchmark has steadily declined, never once being increased by the Agency.
OFCCP has released additional…
OFCCP Contractor Portal to Open April 1
OFCCP has updated its Contractor Portal website with details for this year’s certification cycle.
Per the website
Beginning April 1, 2024, federal contractors will be able to certify the status of their AAPs for each establishment and/or functional/business unit, as applicable. The deadline for certifying compliance is July 1, 2024.
OFCCP has shifted the opening…