Affirmative Action Services
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What?
What is Affirmative Action?
Affirmative Action (AA) is a set of requirements placed on government contractor employers to increase employment opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
An Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) establishes the policies, procedures,and actions taken by an employer to show progress in ensuring equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. The AAP process doesn’t have to be complex, time consuming, or overwhelming. Let MRA help!
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Why?
Why have an Affirmative Action Program?
- Federal government contractors are required by Executive Order 11246 to document their affirmative action programs through compliance reports. Enforcement is conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).
- Contractors with other government entities, such as state, county, or city, may have unique AA requirements.
- An AAP enhances your ability to attract and retain a talented and productive workforce, maintain your competitive edge, and retain government contracts.
- The AAP shows your commitment to eliminate unlawful discrimination and ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment.
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How?
How do I know if my organization has to be AA compliant?
You may need a federally compliant, written AAP if your organization:
- Has 50 or more employees
and - Has contracts or subcontracts with the federal government valued at $50,000+
or - Serves as a depository of government funds (most banks and financial institutions).
Important to know:
- Once a federal government contract is accepted, organizations have 120 days to put an AAP in place.
- A new AAP is required for every year an organization is under contract.
- Employers with a formal AAP must implemented it, keep it on file, and update their AAP.
- Has 50 or more employees
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Importance
Importance of Compliance
To enforce compliance, workplaces are routinely audited by the governing agency. Many audits are random and a complete surprise, while others can be triggered by an applicant or employee complaint.
- Retain your contracts—Inaccurate or incomplete AAPs can result in the termination of government contracts already in effect and may disqualify you from future government contract opportunities.
- Reduce your financial risks—Affirmative Action violations and noncompliance can cause costly financial settlements and/or nonpayment of current contracts.
- Maintain your brand—Avoid poor local and national publicity.
- An AAP establishes policies, procedures, and actions designed to help employers to eliminate unlawful discrimination and ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment.
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Advantage
The MRA Advantage
- Easy and cost effective – So you can direct your time and resources to other priorities.
- Vigilant with data – Processes and tools to keep your data safe.
- Knowledgeable – We understand affirmative action and rigorously stay on top of the regulations.
- Proven – Our team has completed thousands of AAPs and successfully supported employers through the government audit process.
- Personal service – We are more than an internet portal; we are live help. We get to know you and your organization.
- Support year-round – We are here for you during and after we develop your plan.
- Expert partner – Educating your team on regulations and best practices to make your plan a meaningful HR tool. When you're ready, we help strategize with you to take it to the next level – impacting engagement and diversity!
Affirmative Action Plan Service Options
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Basic
Components include:
- Comprehensive intake discussion to determine your AAP need
- Step-by-step support throughout your plan development
- Secure data systems in place to protect your employee information
- Data checks for quality/accuracy
- Preparation of required statistical analyses and narratives
- Electronic versions of your AAP documents
- Project review/closeout session—interpretation of data, review of final plan details, and planning for implementation
- Year-round support—we are here even after your plan is complete
- Compensation evaluation—review and discussion of your progress
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Comprehensive
Components include:
- Comprehensive intake discussion to determine your AAP need
- Step-by-step support throughout your plan development
- Secure data systems in place to protect your employee information
- Data checks for quality/accuracy
- Preparation of required statistical analyses and narratives
- Electronic versions of your AAP documents
- Project review/closeout session—interpretation of data, review of final plan details, and planning for implementation
- Year-round support—we are here even after your plan is complete
- Compensation evaluation—review and discussion of your progress
- Veteran benchmark reporting—evaluation and discussion of your progress
- Adverse impact analysis—review and discussion of transactional data
- Progress toward goals report—year-over-year comparison of your AA progress