Under 41 CFR 60-300.45, OFCCP must publish the “national percentage of veterans in the civilian labor force” for contractors to use as a “hiring benchmark.” OFCCP’s initial veteran hiring benchmark (in 2014) was 7.2% . Every year since, this percentage of available veterans has decreased. This year, the veteran hiring benchmark decreased again – from 5.9% to 5.7%.

So, for contractors who elect not to calculate their own hiring benchmark, be sure to use the national percentage on your AAP plan year date:

• Affirmative action plans dated before March 31, 2020 should continue to use the prior 5.9% veteran hiring benchmark.
• Affirmative action plans dated March 31, 2020 or later should use the new 5.7% veteran hiring benchmark.

As OFCCP rolls out audits focused on VEVRAA compliance, contractors should expect the Agency to look closely at the organization’s benchmark and its hiring rates.