OFCCP has updated the annual Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Benchmark, which is based on 2015 end-of-year data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Effective on March 4, 2016, the Annual National Benchmark is now 6.9% – a slight drop from the previous 7% benchmark. This update was announced on June 15, 2016. However, contractors who implemented the prior year benchmark of 7% before the June 15 announcement may continue using 7%. Going forward, the effective Annual VEVRAA Benchmark date will mirror the BLS report release date. Effective dates for all Annual VEVRAA Benchmarks are available here.
The VEVRAA hiring benchmark is based on the percentage of veterans in the civilian labor force. Contractors should use the result of this comparison when assessing the effectiveness of their veteran outreach and recruitment efforts.
National and state information has also been updated in the VEVRAA Benchmark Database for federal contractors and subcontractors who calculate an individualized hiring benchmark using the five-factor method. This database provides additional information regarding the establishment of hiring benchmarks and easy access to the national and State data that may be needed to establish these benchmarks. For more information about VEVRAA requirements, please visit the DoL website.
By Bryce Hansell, Associate Consultant at DCI Consulting Group
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