The federal compliance programs and organizations that are in charge of auditing your company are among the many government agencies that will be impacted by the recent shutdown. So what does this mean for us Human Capital specialists? Here’s a brief rundown:
EEOC
EEOC goes from 2164 working employees (not including new hires or oversight personnel) to 107 during the shutdown. They will continue to function in a limited fashion, will accept new charges and federal sector appeals (although they will not investigate any charges during the shutdown), and will litigate lawsuits where continuances are not granted by the court.
The OFCCP
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) will also be impacted by the shutdown. It is important for federal contractors and subcontractors to know that there will be no communication from OFCCP staff during this time. In fact, the labor force at the OFCCP will be reduced from its current staffing level (including all of its new field hires) to 0 (see contingency plan for shut down below).
http://www.affirmativeaction.com/documents/DOL-OFCCP-Contingency-Plan.pdf
Even the office of the Secretary of Labor will be reduced from 78 to 6 people.
What This Means for You
With all of the above in mind what does this mean entail for Human Capital specialists?
First any and all OFCCP audits will be immediately halted, as will all OFCCP communication. This however does not absolve you from the responsibilities entrusted to you by your employer(s).
During the shutdown it is imperative that you continue to keep all appropriate records. Once a budget agreement is finally reached all D.O.L., EEOC, and OFCCP offices and employees will take up where they left off and all operations will resume normally.
So consider this a timely intermission, not a cessation of activities.
Keep ahead of the game:
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About the Author
Mark Cohen has been working since 1995 to promote diversity and equality in the workplace through minority recruitment and community outreach. In his position as VP and Director of New Business Development at Equality Magazines.com Mark has become a recognized authority on minority recruitment and compliance.
Equality Magazines.com and its family of Diversity Recruitment Vehicles have been at the forefront of minority recruitment and compliance. Since 1997 they have been advocates of promoting diversity in America’s workforce; bringing the vast and talented pools of African-American, Hispanic, Veteran, and Female workers to the companies that need them.
