Yesterday, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) published its revisions to the current disability and veterans regulations in the Federal Register. These controversial rules become effective 180 days after publication (on March 24, 2014) and will increase the compliance obligations for federal contractors and subcontractors. Some of the more controversial components of these new rules include the requirement to set hiring benchmarks for veterans and to establish a nationwide utilization goal of 7 percent for individuals with disabilities. Employers will have to alter procedures for applicants and new employees to self-identify, including soliciting veteran and disability status during the pre-employment selection process, which will impact internal auditing and reporting systems.

Please join the lawyers of Ogletree Deakins’ Affirmative Action/OFCCP Compliance Practice Group on September 25, 2013 for a webinar during which they will discuss the practical implications of these new rules along with the OFCCP’s new Federal Contract Compliance Manual. You can register for the webinar here.