Article
Source: Government Contracting Law Report
Article
04.24.15
In 2014, through new Executive Orders, directives to the Department of Labor, and new regulatory action, the Obama Administration used its executive authority to implement changes to employment practices in the government contracting community. In this first part of a two-part article, the authors explain changes in pay equity, and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The second part of the article, which will be featured in an upcoming issue of Pratt’s Government Contracting Law Report, will focus on actions expanding employment opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
For government contractors, the year 2014 may be remembered as the Year of Executive Employment Actions. Through new Executive Orders, directives to the Department of Labor, and new regulatory action, the Obama Administration used its executive authority to implement changes to employment practices in the government contracting community. These new actions affect the compliance obligations of nearly every government contractor and subcontractor. The actions reflect a triple focus on pay equity, on prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and on expanding employment opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities.