Last month, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) released its 2014 Spring Regulatory Agenda, identifying four new rules on which the agency is currently working.

The Agenda is consistent with recent efforts by President Obama to further his pay equity agenda.  OFCCP intends to propose by August a rule requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to submit to the Department of Labor summary pay data, including pay data sorted by sex and race.  In addition, OFCCP intends to propose by September a new rule prohibiting retaliation against employees and job applicants who discuss or disclose their compensation information.

The Agenda also reflects the OFCCP’s continued focus on sex discrimination and the construction industry.  OFCCP anticipates proposing in September updated sex discrimination regulations to better implement Executive Order 11246, which prohibits contractors from discriminating against individuals in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin, and requires them to take affirmative action.  By the end of the year, OFCCP also intends to issue a proposed rule setting forth new affirmative action goals and requirements to address disparities in the representation of women and racial minorities in the construction industry.