NCJ Number
58948
Journal
Labor Law Journal Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1977) Pages: 3-12
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
CHANGES IN REGULATIONS AND ORGANIZATION PROPOSED IN 1976 BY THE OFFICE OF FEDERAL CONTRACTS COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS (OFCCP) TO IMPROVE ITS EFFORTS TO REDUCE EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION BY FEDERAL CONTRACTORS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE OFCCP IS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR DIVISION RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING A NUMBER OF AGENCIES THAT IMPLEMENT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING FEDERAL CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITIES AND WOMEN. FOLLOWING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS ACTIVITIES, THE OFCCP PROPOSED SEVERAL NEW REGULATIONS DESIGNED TO FOCUS GOVERNMENT RESOURCES ON AREAS IN WHICH THE GREATEST EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MINORITIES EXIST AND DISCRIMINATION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR. THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS CALLED FOR CHANGES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: (1) THE BASE OF COVERAGE (I.E., NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND SIZE OF CONTRACT) FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF A WRITTEN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN; (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS AND TIMETABLES FOR PREPARING SUCH PLANS, (3) EVALUATION OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS, (4) PREAWARD COMPLIANCE REVIEWS, AND (5) ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTION PROCEDURES. OVERALL, THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE INTENDED TO REDIRECT GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AWAY FROM COMPLIANCE WITH PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS, TOWARD COMPLIANCE IN FACT WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. IN ADDITION TO THE REGULATIONS, THE OFCCP PROPOSED TO CONSOLIDATE THE RESPONSIBILITIES (AND REDUCE THE NUMBER) OF DIFFERENT COMPLIANCE AGENCIES, THEREBY REMOVING A MAJOR HANDICAP TO THE OFCCP'S ABILITY TO MANAGE AND MONITOR COMPLIANCE AGENCY ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS. THE CONSOLIDATION WAS TO HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER 1977.