On August 1, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) released a set of practical expectations for contractors when undergoing an audit or otherwise interacting with the agency. Under this new guidance, federal contractors will have opportunities to provide input on training and additional compliance assistance, see a response time of three-to-four business days on inquiries, and get feedback on ongoing investigations.
The document, “What Contractors Can Expect”, sets out a commitment from OFCCP that “Contractors seeking OFCCP’s assistance with satisfying their nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity obligations can expect clear, accurate, and professional interactions with OFCCP’s staff.” Additionally, the two-page document sets out the following expectations from OFCCP:
- Access to Accurate Compliance Assistance Material
- Timely Responses to Compliance Assistance Questions
- Opportunities to Provide Meaningful Feedback and Collaborate
- Professional Conduct by OFCCP’s Compliance Staff
- Neutral Scheduling of Compliance Evaluations
- Reasonable Opportunity to Discuss Compliance Evaluation Concerns
- Timely and Efficient Progress of Compliance Evaluations
- Confidentiality
For more information, contact Claiborne Guy at claiborne.guy@agc.org or 703-837-5382.