AFFIRMATIVE ACTION NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wishing all of you a healthy and prosperous 2012! And, with the beginning of a fresh new year, many of us have the responsibility to update our Affirmative Action Plans. And for many, sheer panic arises at the thought. Here are some hopefully calming thoughts to get started on the process:

· Keep it simple by first getting organized:

Ø First, collect all of the data that you will be working with…it’s gotten so much easier these days with technology

Ø Second, make sure it’s accurate before you go any further. This is time well spent. Be sure you have all employees in the EEO Classifications and/or Job Groupings that you feel comfortable with (you are the one that has to defend it); be sure they are in the right race/gender and wage classifications. If you have enormous discrepancies, and need to move forward with updating your Plan, go forward!! Make the discrepancies a part of your ACTION PLAN! Too few of us remember that that is exactly what the AAP is!

Ø Start with a balance sheet. Ages ago, the EEO-1 Report was intended to be the base report for all of your Affirmative Action reports. Few of us have that luxury today (since the dates are usually different), so create a mock EEO-1 report and use it as your balance sheet.

Ø GO! Yes, you have to follow the regulations, but this is YOUR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN. Satisfy the requirements, but customize and explain “your” story as much as possible.

BE AWARE: On December 9th, The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a proposal to strengthen the affirmative action requirements of federal contractors to improve employment for individuals with disabilities. This has generated enormous interest and concern from employers as to the potentially demanding requirements. Read more about the proposed ruling by going to: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/sec503/Sec503_Media_Release_2011-12-07.htm Further, you can attend a free Webinar on this Section 503 proposal on January 11, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. OFCCP Branch Chief for Policy Naomi Levin will review highlights of the proposed rule and discuss how you can weigh in on the process.

To register for the online event:. 1. Paste this URL into your web browser to get to the register link - https://doltraining.webex.com/mw0306ld/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=doltraining2. Click "Register".3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit".