Veteran Inclusion and Increasing Veteran Self-Identification

One of the best ways to increase veteran inclusion in your company is to actively seek out qualified veteran candidates for open positions. This can be done through partnerships with organizations that focus on helping veterans transition into the civilian workforce, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program or the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. Additionally, you can use job boards and other online platforms specifically geared towards connecting veterans with employment opportunities.

The OFCCP has several practices in place to promote veteran inclusion and increase veteran self-identification. Some of these practices include:

1. Encouraging your company to implement veteran recruitment and hiring initiatives to help qualified veterans find job opportunities.
2. Providing guidance and resources to employees involved in the selection process on how to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for veterans.
3. Encouraging your company to use the OFCCP’s veteran self-identification form to collect information from job applicants about their veteran status.
4. Providing training and education to your company on the importance of veteran inclusion and how to effectively support and integrate veterans into the workforce.
5. Ensuring your company submits their VETS-4212 report on an annual basis, documenting the inclusion of protected veterans in their workforce. Kairos’ VETS-4212 compliance consultants can assist you with preparing and filing this report.
6. Conducting compliance evaluations and audits to ensure that your company is in compliance with the OFCCP’s regulations and guidelines related to veteran inclusion.

Another effective way to increase veteran inclusion is to create a welcoming and inclusive work environment for veterans. This can involve providing support and resources to help veterans adjust to civilian life, such as offering access to mental health services or career development opportunities. You can also engage with veteran employee resource groups and provide support for their activities and initiatives.

Finally, it’s important to communicate openly and transparently about your commitment to veteran inclusion. This can help attract veteran candidates and show current and prospective employees that your company values the unique skills and experiences that veterans bring to the workforce.

By implementing these practices, the OFCCP helps to promote veteran inclusion and support the employment of qualified veterans by federal contractors.