Redstone Government Consulting Blog | HR Huddle (2)

Overview

• In accordance with EO 14042 and the latest updates from the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce, federal contractors must ensure their employees are fully-vaccinated no later than January 18, 2022 (as opposed to January 4, 2022).
• Due to a stay by the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, all activities related to the OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS have been suspended.
• The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is considering permanent approval for remote I-9 verification.
• The US DOL Wage and Hour Division has announced a final rule to implement Executive Order 14026 that will increase the federal contractor hourly minimum wage to $15.
• The Biden Administration has reinstated the Executive Order pertaining to Non-displacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts.
• The US Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have come together to end workplace retaliation and promote workers’ rights.

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview

• The deadline of December 8, 2021 requiring Federal contractor employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is quickly approaching.
• The proposed OSHA vaccine mandate for private employers is NOT YET in effect.
• The EEOC recently updated their Technical Assistance Questions and Answers that address questions about religious objections to employer COVID-19 vaccine requirements and how they interact with federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws.

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview

• The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the OFCCP Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Verification Program.
• The EEOC will soon require contractors to use new EEO tabulation data from 2014-2018 in their AAPs.
• The OFCCP is rescinding its previously issued notice stating that it would not request, accept, or use EEO-1 Component 2 data. 
• The Department of Homeland Security has extended the Form I-9 verification flexibility.
• As part of President Biden’s COVID-19 Plan, an Executive Order (#14043) on COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Workers and Contractors was signed on September 9, 2021. 
• As a reminder, September 30^th is the deadline to file the VETS-4212 report.
• You are invited to join a national online dialogue on “Advancing Worker Equity at the U.S. Department of Labor.”

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview:

• The EEOC has introduced a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) workshop series.
• The US Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to create standards and procedures to implement and enforce President Biden’s earlier Executive Order (EO 14026) that will increase the federal contractor minimum wage.
• Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic is still an issue for workplaces across the country.
• The EEO-1 Reporting deadline has been changed again to October 25, 2021.

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview:

• EEO-1 reporting has been extended once again. The deadline is now August 23rd. Additionally, they have made an improvement to the reports feature on the website to help users have a better experience. 
• EEO Tabulation data from 2014 to 2018 is now available. 
• Biden's new Executive Order (EO) takes aim at noncompete agreements.
• A potential major challenge at the OFCCP could impact the 2020 Final Rule "Procedures to Resolve Potential Discrimination."
• I-9 flexibility is extended until August 31, 2021.
• The US Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to create standards and procedures to implement and enforce President Biden's earlier Executive Order 14026 that will increase the federal contractor minimum wage to $15 per hour.
• Department of Labor issued All Agency Memorandum 237 increasing the Health and Welfare benefit applicable to SCA-covered contracts.

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview:

• EEOC launches new landing page that is a one-stop-shop for information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity workplace rights.
• The White House seeks to continue providing remote work opportunities for federal employees.
• The DOL makes plans to update the DBA and Related Acts Regulations.
• EEO-1 data collection is now open and due July 19^th.
• US Supreme Court upholds the Affordable Care Act in California v. Texas.
• Juneteenth is now a federal holiday.

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview:

• EEOC increases the monetary penalty for violating notice-posting requirements. 
• On May 18, 2021, the IRS released guidance regarding tax relief provided by the "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" for COBRA-related continuation of health coverage.
• OSHA released new guidance on employer requirement to record adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccination if the employer requires employees to take the vaccine.
• The Department of Health and Human Services announced, "the Office for Civil Rights will interpret and enforce Section 1557 and Title IX's prohibitions on discrimination based on sex to include: (1) discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; and (2) discrimination on the basis of gender identity."
• The CDC provided updated guidance for fully-vaccinated individuals on May 13, 2021, relaxing the recommendations for wearing face masks and social distancing. 

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview:

• Biden Administration signs Executive Order to Increase Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors to $15/hour
• I-9 Physical Inspection eased again until May 31, 2021
• OFCCP – Focused Reviews canceled
• OFCCP updated the 2021 Annual Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) hiring benchmark
• Annual AAP Certification – Will OFCCP require this soon?
• Biden’s American Rescue Plan includes new COBRA subsidy requirement for most employers
• On April 15, 2021, the House passed the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 7)

Topics: HR Huddle

Overview:

• OFCCP recently amended its Supply and Service Scheduling List
• On March 11, 2021, Biden signed the “American Rescue Plan of 2021
• On March 12, 2021, Biden’s DOL announced plans to rescind two “Final Rules”

Topics: HR Huddle

Topics: HR Huddle