Director Craig Leen of the OFCCP has published a memorandum granting a National Interest Exemption for hurricane-relief contracts. Effective August 27, 2020 through October 27, 2020, organizations entering into Federal contracts specifically to aid in Hurricane Laura relief are exempt from portions of requirements set by Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act. For this duration, these Federal contractors are not required to develop affirmative action programs, prepare reports, or provide notices as required by each of the regulations. Requirements that remain in effect include:
- Nondiscrimination and non-retaliation requirements,
- Posting of the “Equal Opportunity is the Law” notice,
- Recordkeeping and record retention, and
- Employment listings with required local and state employment offices.
Such exemptions are common in response to national disasters, and may be extended, as needed.
By Jana Garman, EEO Compliance Manager & Senior Consultant at DCI Consulting Group
