Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

CEREMONY TO HONOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 19 [01/31/1996]

For more information call: 202/219-8743

The Labor Department's annual program to honor federal contractors for leadership in ensuring equal employment opportunities will be held in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 19, Deputy Assistant Secretary Shirley J. Wilcher announced today.

Wilcher, head of the department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), said that nominations are being solicited for three awards: the Secretary's Opportunity 2000, the Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) and the Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC).

"This annual program gives public recognition to employers who have demonstrated leadership in meeting the challenges of today by implementing innovative programs which improve the well-being of workers, increase the productivity of this country and ensure a well-trained and diversified workforce," Wilcher said. The EVE award, initiated in 1983, honors contractors and associations for their innovative efforts to increase employment opportunities for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

The Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award, initiated in 1988, honors one corporation for its comprehensive workforce strategy to ensure equal employment and a multi-faceted affirmative action program to ensure a productive and diverse workforce, including outreach through community-based projects.

The EPIC Award, initiated in 1994, recognizes public interest groups that have supported affirmative action and linked their efforts with those of federal contractors to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and Vietnam-era veterans.

Award recipients are self-nominated federal contractors or organizations that support the mission of OFCCP. EVE and Opportunity 2000 award nominees must be in full compliance with the anti-discrimination law and must have had a compliance review within the past three years.

OFCCP encourages all eligible contractors and organizations to submit nominations. Nominations are reviewed by a senior management panel with final selection made by the deputy assistant secretary of OFCCP.

Last year's top honor went to the Xerox Corporation, which received the Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award. EVE and EPIC awards were presented to CBS, Mobil Corporation, Seattle First National Bank, The Law Company (Wichita, Kan.), Atlanta Regional Liaison Group, Disabled American Veterans and Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, both from Washington, D.C., and the New York City-based National Center For Disability Services.

Nominations should be sent to OFCCP regional directors, who will review and forward nominations to the national headquarters by February 26.

For additional information, interested nominees may contact OFCCP regional directors or Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Program Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Rm. C-3325, Washington, DC 29210.

OFCCP, as part of the Employment Standards Administration, enforces laws requiring federal contractors to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability or Vietnam-era status.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.