Government Contractor Employment Regulations

A government contractor is a private business that supplies a good or service to the government and works under the terms of a contract. When a business becomes a government contractor, it comes under the scrutiny of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). The OFCCP publishes rules and regulations, including employment regulations, that are specific to government contractors. If a government contractor fails to comply, it can face penalties, including the termination of its contract.

Affirmative Action Program

Many government contractors have affirmative action obligations they must meet under OFCCP guidelines. Specifically, supply, service and construction contractors must meet these requirements. Supply and service contractors, in particular, must have such a program in writing that outlines how it will ensure equal employment opportunity.

Filing an EEO-1 Report

All federal contractors must maintain records that document and analyze statistics on the sex, race and ethnicity of their applicants and employees. This report is called the EEO-1 Report. This report must be submitted on or before Sept. 30 of each year. Applicants seeking employment should be asked to self-identify their sex, race and ethnicity.

Vets 100/100A Report

Many federal contractors are required to keep records of their efforts to hire veterans. This information must be submitted to the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service.

Recordkeeping

All records created by the contractor regarding personnel and employment must be retained. This includes job descriptions, job postings, job applications, interview notes and employment tests.

OFCCP Access

An employer must provide access to its premises, hard-copy records and electronic records in the event of an OFCCP investigation or when a complaint has been lobbied regarding discrimination or retaliation.

Notices

All contractors must prominently post the OFCCP Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

Job Postings

All contractors must cite in all employment ads that all applicants will be considered for the position regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants and employees with disabilities must be provided with reasonable accommodation so that they may provide services for the company.

Retaliation

Government contractors cannot retaliate against employees, whether by harassment, intimidation, coercion, discrimination or punishment.

References

• Department of Labor: New Contractor Guidelines

Resources

• Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs