Acosta Confirmed as DOL Secretary

On April 27, 2017, the United States Senate confirmed Alexander Acosta as the 27th Secretary of Labor. Following a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the full Senate approved Acosta in a 60-38 vote. Acosta was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on April 28, 2017. The press release announcing his appointment can be found at:
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/opa/opa20170428.

President Trump Revokes Blacklisting Regulations

On March 27, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled Revocation of Federal Contracting Executive Orders. This Order rescinds Executive Order 13673, known as the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order, the so-called “blacklisting” rule for federal contractors. A copy of the new Executive Order can be found at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/27/presidential-executive-order-revocation-federal-contracting-executive.

Pay Transparency Statement Revised

On March 1, 2017, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) updated the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision to include a citation to 41 C.F.R. 60-1.35(c) at the end of the notice. The Provision is a requirement pursuant to Executive Order 11246 and applies to federal contracts entered into or modified on or after January 11, 2016. A copy of the revised Provision can be found at: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_unformattedESQA508c.pdf.

Puzder Withdraws as Secretary of Labor Nominee

On February 15, 2017, Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration as Secretary of Labor. The confirmation hearing for Puzder’s nomination was scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2017, after being delayed several times due to lingering issues regarding his background check and ethical concerns.

Lipnic Appointed Acting EEOC Chair

On January 25, 2017, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that President Donald Trump named Victoria A. Lipnic as Acting Chair of the EEOC. Lipnic has served on the Commission since 2010, having previously been nominated by President Barack Obama. In November 2015, she was nominated for and confirmed to serve a second term ending on July 1, 2020. The press release announcing her appointment can be found at: https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/1-25-17a.cfm.

Fair Pay & Safe Workplaces Final Rule Published

On August 25, 2016, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FARC) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published the final regulations and guidance implementing Executive Order 13673, Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces. The effective date for prime contractors is October 25, 2016. The final rule can be found in the Federal Register publication at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-08-25/pdf/2016-19676.pdf and the guidance from the DOL can be found at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-08-25/pdf/2016-19678.pdf.