Arguably, one of the most important Federal regulatory changes in 2013 was the OFCCP’s final release of regulations updating Section 421 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973 (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 in the Federal Register. These regulations prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against protected veterans/individuals with disabilities (IWDs) in employment contexts and require employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain veterans/IWDs. The final rules were designed to strengthen the affirmative action provisions of the regulations and to aid contractors in their efforts to recruit and hire protected veterans/IWDs and to improve job opportunities for these individuals.

Each of the final rules imposes new obligations on federal contractors regarding veterans and individuals with disabilities (IWDs). The updated regulations expand contractors’ affirmative action and non-discriminatory obligations and impose new record keeping, posting, and notice requirements designed to allow the OFCCP to evaluate compliance. Highlights of the final rules include: (more…)