Federal Contractors Bracing for More Government Pay Bias Probes

Companies doing business with the federal government are likely to see more enforcement demands from the U.S. Department of Labor’s contractor watchdog, under a proposed rule that would ease limits on the agency’s ability to bring pay discrimination claims.

Under its proposal to roll back a Trump-era rule, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs would have the right to add violations in each stage of an investigation, and contractors would have a shorter period to respond to allegations. It also would give the office authority to issue a show-cause notice before a predetermination notice or notice of violation, if ...