DOL Raises Minimum Wage — In a September 15th Notice on the Federal Register, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that effective January 1, 2018 the minimum wage required to be paid under Executive Order 13658 will be raised from $10.20 per hour to $10.35 per hour. For tipped employees, the minimum wage will be raised from $6.80 per hour to $7.25 per hour.
VETS-4212 Deadline Extended — Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) posted the following note on its website: “In order to accommodate the needs of those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Federal contractors who file their VETS-4212 Reports by November 15, 2017 will not be cited for failure to file a timely Report or failure to comply with Federal regulations.”
EEOC and OFCCP Proposed Merger Rejected — As previously reported, the White House’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposed merging the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in order to create one agency to combat employment discrimination. Both employer and civil rights groups oppose the proposed merger, pointing out the agencies have different policy goals and legal authority. Because the EEOC does not have the authority to do a number of things that the OFCCP does, Congressional action is necessary to complete the proposed merger. On September 7th, the Senate Appropriations Committee put through a spending bill that rejects (and stops for now) the merger proposal.
Recent EEOC Cases — The EEOC has continued to issue numerous press releases this month. Below are some highlights.
- Chipotle was sued for alleged sexual harassment and retaliation – 9/18/17
- Wynn Las Vegas was sued for alleged disability discrimination – 9/14/2017
- Estée Lauder was sued for alleged sex discrimination – 8/30/2017
