Federal contractors assisting in coronavirus relief efforts won’t have to comply with some equal employment opportunity requirements typically mandated by the Labor Department.
The DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced a “national interest exemption” late Tuesday to accommodate businesses that enter into government contracts “specifically to provide Coronavirus relief.” The exemption waives affirmative action obligations, such as outreach and recruitment requirements.
“The thinking here is we just get the best contractors available to work immediately to the benefit of America and its citizens,” said Mickey Silberman, founder and shareholder at Denver-based Silberman Law PC. Silberman has represented contractors ...