U.S. Department of Labor Publishes Request for Information To Combat Race and Sex Stereotyping

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today announced it will publish a Request for Information (RFI), as required by Executive Order 13950, “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” on Sept. 22, 2020.

The RFI seeks information about federal contractor and subcontractor training, workshops or similar programing provided to employees. Federal contractors and subcontractors, as well as their employees, are encouraged to provide materials in response to the RFI. The Department continuously looks for ways to improve compliance assistance provided to the federal contracting community and will use the information submitted to develop materials and focus its enforcement of the Executive Order.

“OFCCP is looking forward to receiving responses to the Request for Information from federal contractors and subcontractors, as well as their employees, across the many industries that do business with the federal government. These responses will help OFCCP develop useful compliance assistance materials and effective enforcement programs, with the important objective of eliminating race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director Craig E. Leen. 

As part of its efforts in support of affirmative action and nondiscrimination in employment, OFCCP will also offer compliance assistance to companies who provide materials through the RFI.

The agency also launched the Executive Order 13950 landing page that includes answers to frequently asked questions and links to Executive Order 13950 and the RFI. The landing page also includes detailed information about filing a complaint through OFCCP’s new hotline. Complaints may be submitted by phone and email. OFCCP will investigate complaints following its normal complaint procedures, as detailed in the Federal Contract Compliance Manual.

Additionally, compliance assistance resources are available on OFCCP’s website at www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/compliance-assistance.  

OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws, as amended, make it illegal for contractors and subcontractors doing business with the federal government to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discriminating against applicants or employees because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their compensation or the compensation of others subject to certain limitations, and may not retaliate against applicants or employees for engaging in protected activities. These laws also require that federal contractors provide equal employment opportunity through affirmative action. For more information, please call OFCCP’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-397-6251 or visit www.dol.gov/ofccp.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.