Government Contractors and Subcontractors Coverage and Compliance Issues–EEOC and Department of Labor

The Federal Contractor Compliance Advisor helps Federal contractors and subcontractors understand basic coverage and compliance information on equal employment opportunity laws and regulations enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Employees, job applicants and others may also find this Advisor useful for learning about the basic obligations of Federal contractors and subcontractors.

The following three equal employment opportunity laws are enforced by OFCCP:

Executive Order 11246, as amended (E.O. 11246) prohibits discrimination and requires affirmative action to ensure that all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability and requires affirmative action in the employment of qualified individuals with disabilities.

The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (VEVRAA) prohibits discrimination against specified categories of veterans protected by the Act and requires affirmative action in the employment of such veterans.

OFCCP monitors compliance with these equal employment opportunity laws and their corresponding affirmative action requirements primarily through compliance evaluations, during which a compliance officer examines the contractor’s affirmative action program and employment practices. OFCCP also investigates complaints filed by individuals alleging discrimination by Federal contractors and subcontractors on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

The Federal Contractor Compliance Advisor is one of a series of elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses) Advisors developed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities under Federal employment laws. To view the entire list of elaws Advisors please visit the elaws website. To learn more about DOL’s efforts to enforce, for the benefit of job seekers and wage earners, the contractual promise of affirmative action and equal employment opportunity required of those who do business with the Federal government, visit the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website.