OFCCP Appoints New Director Following Executive Order

By Sally Weldin, Senior Human Resource Specialist
Published February 4, 2025

Following the January 21 release of the Executive Order titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, which makes changes to affirmative action requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors and organization DEI initiatives, there’s been confusion over what the Order directs employers to do. 

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) still has responsibility for the enforcement of Affirmative Action Programs that cover protected veterans under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and workers with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. These affirmative action programs prohibit discrimination and disparate treatment based on veteran and disability status. Federal contractors and subcontractors are required to comply with reporting and outreach under these programs.

In a commitment to continuing enforcement of these affirmative action programs, the OFCCP has named a new Director, Michael Schloss, to head the agency. Mr. Schloss brings 32 years of regulatory experience at the U.S. Department of Labor and then in private practice beginning in 2023. With this appointment, federal contractors and subcontractors should receive guidance on OFCCP direction under the new Executive Order. 

HR Source will continue to be a resource for the contractor community in completing the analyses for these Affirmative Action Programs as required. Our webinar series Straight from the Source will focus on the new Executive Order’s implications on February 6.

Please contact us at 800-448-4584 with questions regarding Affirmative Action Program compliance. HR Source members can contact us through the HR Hotline Online.