RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AT OFCCP
OFCCP has a variety of major initiatives occuring including proposed changes to its scheduling letter and itemized listing and proposed changes to the affirmative action regulations for veterans. Along with these major initiatives, there are various other recent developments that companies covered by the federal affirmative action regulations should be aware of.
Recall of June 3, 2011 Scheduling Letters Sent from Midwest Region - OFCCP's Midwest Region recently sent a number of scheduling letters that have a formal date of June 3, 2011. These letters were received by contractors on a number of dates after June 3. Various sources are reporting that ALL of these letters are being recalled, and the reviews associated with these scheduling letters will not take place. If you received a June 3, 2011 scheduling letter and have not received a second letter cancelling the review, we invite you to contact us so that we can help your company get this review closed.
OFCCP Midwest Region Leadership Changes - OFCCP Midwest Regional Director Sandra Ziegler and Midwest Regional Deputy Director Shirley Thomas left the agency on June 30, 2011. This represents a major change for OFCCP's Midwest Region. Ms. Ziegler has widely been considered an innovator in her approach to compliance reviews and agency practices.
New Functional Affirmative Action Plan Directive - OFCCP very recently released a new version of its directive concerning functional affirmative action plans. A functional AAP is an AAP that is not produced for a particular facility. Instead, a functional AAP covers a specific functional group within an organization. Please contact us if your company is considering the use of functional AAPs.
OFCCP Settles Major Compensation Discrimination Case - OFCCP's website provides information regarding a recent settlement with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in regard to alleged compensation discrimination by AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca signed a consent decree and order with OFCCP in which the company agreed to provide back pay to a class of female employees. Perhaps just as important are provisions in the consent decree that require extensive statistical analyses of compensation by AstraZeneca. The consent decree is available through the Department of Labor's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ). You can also contact us if you would like a copy of the AstraZeneca consent decree.