OFCCP Week in Review: September 18, 2017

In addition, a similar site was established for individuals affected by Hurricane Irma.

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), the ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, offered the amendment which passed on a voice vote.

• Scott told Bloomberg BNA last Wednesday that the proposed merger was “a total mess.” “Both [agencies] have important missions, but combining them would be total confusion,” Scott told Bloomberg BNA.
• The Senate Appropriations Committee had last week also published language in its proposed USDOL budget (in support of the Senate’s budget S. 1771) opposing the merger. (See OFCCP Week in Review: September 11, 2017)

The merger proposal thus appears “comatose” for FY2018 (which starts October 1, 2017). However, as OFCCP’s budget, staffing and enforcement statistics continue to shrink year over year, it is unclear whether the OFCCP will be able to continue to operate at the level of professionalism, efficiency and predictability which Government contractors had grown to expect in past decades. The merger idea will more likely than not continue to periodically rear its head in the future as the OFCCP struggles to survive its now 17-year steady step-by-step wind-down in budget, headcount and enforcement activities.

The Department will continue to work cooperatively with states and territories to assess needs as they develop and respond accordingly. U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta has directed the Department to assist the residents and businesses in affected areas. The Department has taken the steps outlined in an official news release.

VETS’ staff stand ready to offer assistance. Please be sure to check with the Department of Labor’s Hurricane Recovery Assistance webpage for ongoing updates and more information.

Now in its second year, the Seal recognizes companies that demonstrate exemplary employment practices for people with disabilities. This annual recognition is designed to applaud those organizations that are leading the way in disability hiring AND to encourage additional companies to tap into the many benefits of hiring talent with disabilities, including strong consumer preference for companies that employ individuals with disabilities and greater employee engagement across the workforce.

The winning organizations were announced at NOD’s annual disability employment forum, Inclusion by Design, sponsored by PwC and hosted by The Boeing Company and are being celebrated using the campaign hashtag #NODdisabilityemployer.

To be considered, companies must complete the Disability Employment Tracker during the qualifying window. Pre-register now for the 2018 Disability Employment Tracker, opening October 1, 2017, or sign up to be notified when the 2018 qualifying window opens.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding VETS-4212 reports you can contact VETS-4212 customer support at 1-866-237-0275 or via email at VETS4212-customersupport@dol.gov.

What: Minimum wage rate that generally must be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase to $10.35 per hour. The required minimum cash wage that generally must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase to $7.25 per hour.

Why: Executive Order 13658 and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 10

Tip: Read the fine print – there are exclusions!