The U.S. Department of Labor announced on August 6, 2014 a proposed rule requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to submit an annual Equal Pay Report on employee compensation to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Under the terms of the proposal, this requirement would apply to companies that file EEO-1 reports EEO-1 reports, have more than 100 employees and hold federal contracts or subcontracts worth $50,000 or more for at least 30 days. Through the Equal Pay Report, OFCCP would be able to collect summary employee pay and demographic data using existing government reporting frameworks.

President Obama signed a presidential memorandum on April 8 instructing the secretary of labor to propose a rule within 120 days to collect summary compensation data from federal contractors and subcontractors. The proposal tabled at the Federal Register today reflects criteria set forth by the president to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of OFCCP's enforcement programs, minimize the burden placed on federal contractors, and use data to encourage greater voluntary compliance with the law. The proposed Equal Pay Report would also help OFCCP direct its enforcement resources toward contractors whose summary compensation data suggests potential pay violations.

The rule will be published in the Federal Register on August 8, and all comments must be received by November 6, 2014. To read and comment on the proposed rule, please visit http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/EPR.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)