DirectEmployers Blog
OFCCP Compliance
The EEOC Just Told You Where It’s Looking Next: A Federal Contractor’s Guide to the New National Enforcement Plan
Key Takeaways On June 4, 2026, the EEOC formally approved a new National Enforcement Plan (NEP) covering fiscal years 2025–2029, replacing the agency's previous Strategic Enforcement Plan. The NEP reaffirms the EEOC's three-pronged approach to eliminating workplace...
FY2027 Appropriations Bill Proposes to Zero Out OFCCP & Cut DOL Funding by 27%
Key Takeaways On June 4, 2026, the House Appropriations Committee released its FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Bill, with a subcommittee markup underway as of June 5th. The bill proposes to eliminate all...
DOL Waves in a New Era of Regulatory Clarity with Four Fresh FLSA Opinion Letters
Key Takeaways The Department of Labor’s latest batch of FLSA opinion letters (FLSA2026-5 through FLSA2026-8) signals a sharp return to clear, scenario-specific compliance assistance as shared by Administrator Rogers at DEAMcon26. Key rulings confirm that salaried...
Section 503 Compliance: Key Considerations for Employers
Originally published June 2, 2026. Updated to reflect the regulatory environment following the Section 503 Final Rule, effective September 21, 2026. Key Takeaways Section 503 compliance is about more than meeting federal requirements—it’s about creating a workplace...
EEOC Proposes to Rescind EEO-1 Reporting Requirements: What Happened, Where the Process Stands & How this Affects Federal Contractors
Key Takeaways On May 14, 2026, the EEOC submitted a formal proposal to the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to rescind EEO-1 reporting requirements, along with EEO-2 through EEO-5. It’s important to note that this is a proposal, not a...
Leadership Shift at the OFCCP: Kenneth J. Wolfe Named Director
Key Takeaways The transition from Ashley Romanias to Kenneth J. Wolfe signals a significant moment of change for the OFCCP, marking the agency’s third director in just over a year. As a long-time public servant with over 23 years of experience at HHS and a current...
New Federal DEI Executive Order: From Policy to Enforceable Contract Clauses
Key Takeaways The Executive Order issued on March 26, 2026, "Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors," fundamentally shifts compliance from the broad policy goals of EO 14173 (Jan 2025) into enforceable contractual obligations. Starting April 25, 2026,...
Welcome PJ Rossi: DirectEmployers’ Newest Compliance Consultant!
Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of OFCCP compliance and EEO regulations requires a steady hand and a wealth of experience. Earlier this year we announced a partnership with Alicia Wallace, and now we are equally thrilled to announce that PJ Rossi has joined the...
What is Section 503 and How Do I Comply? A Guide for Federal Contractors
Originally published March 9, 2026. Updated September 21, 2026.Key Takeaways Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act still requires covered federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action in employing and advancing qualified individuals with...
What Do Recent EEOC Subpoena Enforcement Actions Tell Us About The Kinds of Data And Documents The EEOC Will Use To Investigate Unlawful DEI And Other Discriminatory Employment Practices
Key Takeaways Recent federal court filings by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against major employers like Nike, Northwestern Mutual, and Genuine Parts Co. (NAPA Auto Parts) signal a aggressive shift in how the agency investigates employment...