“Pay discrimination is a real and persistent problem in the American workforce and an important policy issue. If our efforts are complemented by robust voluntary compliance by employers doing an in-depth analysis of their practices and how they apply in addressing issues, then that is going to make a real difference in people’s lives,” Pamela Coukos, senior program advisor with the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently said during a March 22 OFCCP-sponsored webinar. Continue reading
Tag Archives: job market
Unemployment Drops to New Low of 7.6 Percent, While US Employers Only Add 88,000 Jobs in March
There is mixed news, yet again, on the jobs front on the heels of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) March jobs report. While the unemployment rate edged down from 7.7 percent to 7.6 percent, employers added only 88,000 jobs in March. This is anemic growth, and far below the average employment growth of 169,000 per month over the course of the past 12 months, according to the BLS. Continue reading
OFCCP to Host FREE Webinar on March 22 to Provide Overview, Answer Questions Concerning Directive 307
As we reported recently in our blog, on February 28 of this year, the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued Directive 307, which strengthens its ability to identify and remedy contractor pay practices.[i] In an effort to explain the new investigative procedures, the OFCCP will be hosting a FREE webinar on Friday, March 22, 2013, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EDT). According to the OFCCP, interested participants will learn more about the new Advisories, as well as have an opportunity to address questions about these actions. To register for the FREE webinar, visit the Office of Federal Contract Compliance website here. Continue reading
Part 5 of our Unemployment Series – Older Workers Show Better Rates of Unemployment, Yet Remain Unemployed Long-Term if Unemployed
On the positive side, on average, older workers (those aged 55 and over) show lower rates of unemployment; however, if unemployed experience longer durations of unemployment compared to their younger counterparts, according to a report on unemployed older workers. [i] In the final of our blog series on unemployment amongst American work groups, we explore the employment situation for older workers. Continue reading
OFCCP Issues Directive 306 – Reinforces Best Practices on Use of Criminal Records When Making Employment Decisions
In its ongoing effort to enact policies that prohibit intentional discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, or other protected groups, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a new directive on January 29, 2013, Directive 306. Directive 306 cautions Federal Contractors to be mindful when making employment decisions based on criminal history records of job applicants. The Directive adopts the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records “best practices,” which outline how employers can avoid liability for discrimination based on the use of criminal records in employment. The EEOC is the Federal Agency that administers and enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Continue reading
Part 4 of our Unemployment Series – American Youths Continue to be Prone to High Rates of Unemployment
As we continue our series on unemployment, we take a closer look at American youths. Unemployment continues to impact all sectors of the labor market; however, its critical impact on American youths, or those aged 16 to 24, cannot be discounted. While overall employment has improved year over year (last reported at 7.9 percent in the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Jobs Report released for January 2013), young adults have not fared as well. [i] In fact, the unemployment situation for those in this age bracket has not improved, counter to the trend for the general population. Continue reading
