The President released his budget which includes separate proposals for various government agencies. The budget proposal for the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which oversees affirmative action and non-discrimination requirements for federal contractors, includes a plan for the government to fold the agency into the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The proposal tasks OFCCP with working collaboratively to develop and implement a plan to complete the merger by September 30, 2018. The proposal touts increased efficiencies in the form of consolidated government EEO oversight and enforcement “under one roof.” Perhaps to facilitate this move to a common agency, the administration has proposed slashing OFCCP’s budget by over $17 million to $88 million for FY 2018 and reducing staff by 131 positions. This would be accomplished by closing field office locations and other cost savings measures.
The proposed merger raises many questions including: READ MORE