51����

Recently, 51���� hosted a webinar on��the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) New Disability and Veterans Rules: What They Mean for Federal Construction Contractors.������The new rules, which go into effect on March 24, 2014, update the affirmative action requirements for direct federal contractors with regard to veterans and individuals with disabilities.�� The webinar recording is available for purchase in the����to view on-demand. Tami Earnhart, employment lawyer with Ice Miller LLP and co-author of ���Ұ�’s Affirmative Action for Construction, highlighted the changes that were made by the agency to increase the affirmative action obligations of federal contractors with regard to these two protected groups.�� During the presentation, Ms. Earnhart identified which contractors are covered by the rules, provided detailed information on the self-identification invitation process for each rule, written affirmative action program requirements for applicable contractors and new record retention requirements.�� In addition, Ms. Earnhart addressed OFCCP’s new 7% utilization goal for individuals with disabilities and 8% hiring benchmark for veterans. Ms. Earnhart discouraged employers from implementing certain requirements prior to the March 24 effective date, including the self-identification invitation process. ����She stated that doing so may cause contractors to inadvertently violate other federal employment laws. For more than two years, 51���� has worked with OFCCP as well as other federal agencies and legislative officials to block or lessen the burden of these rules on federal construction contractors.�� While disappointed that OFCCP did increase its requirements, 51���� was pleased to find that the agency also abandoned much, if not most, of the burdens it had originally proposed.�� For more information on ���Ұ�’s impact on the outcome of the rules, click here.�� For more information on complying with the requirements of OFCCP, visit����web page.�� The primary category is “EEO” and the secondary category is “Affirmative Action.” NOTE: ���Ұ�’s Affirmative Action Manual for Construction (Third Edition) is currently in production and will be available in the 51���� bookstore January 1, 2014.�� This new edition covers OFCCP’s NEW disability and veterans rules, auditing practices of construction contractors, new enforcement directives and more.