New Rule Expands Veteran Coverage, Changes Mandatory Listing Requirement
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced today the publication of regulations that implement changes to the nondiscrimination and affirmative action obligations of federal contractors and subcontractors with respect to protected veterans.
The changes are required by the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA), which was enacted by Congress in 2002 and amended section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA). Among other actions, JVA expanded the categories of veterans protected by the affirmative action provisions of the law and changed the manner in which federal contractors must list employment openings.
The new regulations permit covered contractors to satisfy the mandatory listing requirement by listing job openings with the appropriate state workforce agency job bank or local employment delivery system. Many state workforce agency job banks accept job postings via the Internet, a list of hyperlinks can be found at www.jobbankinfo.org. Contractors may use third parties, such as private or nonprofit sector job banks, Internet gateway and portal sites, and recruiting services and directories, to assist them with the transmission of job listings.
The new rule will become effective in 30 days and only applies to government contracts of $100,000 or more entered into or modified on or after Dec. 1, 2003. Government contracts of $25,000 or more entered into prior to Dec. 1, 2003, will continue to follow the existing VEVRAA regulations available on OFCCP's Web site at www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/Title_41/Part_60-250/toc.htm.
A copy of the final rule and frequently asked questions are also available on OFCCP's Web site at www.dol.gov/esa/ofccp/index.htm.