Recognizing Excellence in Veteran Hiring: The HIRE Vets Medallion Award and Compliance with VEVRAA The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has officially opened the application period for the 2025 HIRE Vets Medallion Award, a prestigious recognition for employers who demonstrate a strong commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans. This federal-level award, established by [...]
DEIA Executive Order Provisions Halted by Preliminary Injunction On January 21, 2025, the U.S. District Court of Maryland issued a Preliminary Injunction (PI) temporarily halting enforcement of key provisions in Executive Order 14151 and 14173, President Trump’s orders aimed at restricting DEI initiatives. You can download the 63-page opinion by clicking here. Key Takeaways [...]
DEIA and Compliance: Key Considerations for Employers Executive Order 14173 has led many employers to reassess their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives due to heightened scrutiny and potential risk. While DEIA itself is not inherently unlawful, the way it is implemented can lead to risk, particularly when any part of the employment [...]
Executive Summary In the broad context of employment practices, the repeal of Executive Order 11246 has a limited effect on compliance obligations. The core federal and state laws that regulate pay and anti-discrimination remain unchanged, including risks associated with pay disparities and discriminatory employment practices. Organizations that overlook this reality may encounter unforeseen challenges. [...]
Although no immediate changes are required, Kairos is addressing three common posting and notification questions received since the release of Executive Order (EO) 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”. If you are a state contractor or subcontractor, please contact Kairos regarding potential state-level affirmative action requirements before making any of the optional [...]
Stay Ahead of California’s Pay Equity and Transparency Regulations As California continues to enforce strict pay equity and transparency laws, businesses must remain compliant with the latest California Pay Data Reporting requirements. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) has released updates for the 2024 reporting year, and non-compliance could result in financial penalties and [...]
With growing national focus on Pay Transparency, states are proposing new legislation aimed at ensuring fair compensation practices. These laws align with the principles of the Equal Pay Act, emphasizing fair wages and reducing pay disparities. Employers must stay informed and conduct Pay Equity Analyses to comply with evolving legal requirements and maintain equitable [...]
Michael Schloss has been appointed as the Acting Director and Deputy Director for Policy at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Prior to this role, Schloss had a distinguished 32-year tenure with the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), where he most recently served as the Director of the [...]
This is a critical reminder for all employers with employees in Massachusetts regarding the upcoming Massachusetts Pay Data Reporting deadline. The reporting portal opened on January 16, 2025, and reports must be submitted no later than February 3, 2025 (the statutory deadline is February 1, but it has been extended since February 1 falls [...]
Following the recent changes introduced by the administration, here is a summary of what’s changed and what stays the same regarding OFCCP, VETS, and EEOC, and how Kairos will continue to meet your compliance needs. Federal and State Reporting Requirements The following are required reports and AAPs (if applicable): Section 503 of the Rehabilitation [...]
