The Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs recently released two final rules revising the process by which federal contractors hire and employ veterans and individuals with disabilities.

One rule updates employer obligations under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, by requiring contractors to adopt an annual benchmark as a tool for measuring their success in recruiting veterans. The benchmark can be based on the national percentage of veterans in the workforce (currently 8 percent), or based on the best available data and factors unique to a contractor's establishment. The second rule updates employer obligations with respect to disabled individuals under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Among other things, the rule requires employers to have a hiring goal of ensuring that seven percent of workers in each job group are qualified individuals with disabilities. Both rules also contain language addressing issues related to data collection, self-identification, the incorporation of EO clauses in subcontracts, and providing record access to OFCCP. The rules will become effective 180 days after publication in the Federal Register, which should occur within the next few weeks. Read more--Disabled Rule.   Read more--Veterans Rule.