I hardly ever have time to blog twice in one week, but this one just can’t wait! Buried deep on page 106 of a 111 page Regulatory Agenda (thank God for CTL F), the Department of Labor has actually put a written mark on the wall as to when its Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Programs (OFCCP) plans to publish its much anticipated revision to the affirmative action provisions of the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. The notice of proposed rulemaking can be found in a document entitled “Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Protected Veterans”. Federal contractors have been waiting and grinding their teeth since July of 2011 when the public comment period on the proposed changes ended. If you are new to recruiting veterans, you can get caught up as to what the proposed changes are by reading some earlier blogs posted here. Just click on the tag for “OFCCP”.
The last 18 months or so have been no picnic for the OFCCP field agents who have been constantly harangued by contractors in public forums where veteran recruiting topics are discussed.
So, now we all know – according to DOL’s published timetable, a date to be named later in April 2013 is when we can expect the revisions to be published. April 2013 is also the time they anticipate releasing the other drama-filled revised rules on “Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Contractors and Subcontractors Regarding Individuals With Disabilities”
So, let’s take a poll:
The Value Of a Veteran 
Is it legal to advertise for qualified veterans.
Hi Joe – rather than specifying that you are interested only in “qualified veterans” (which is a small subset of veterans defined by the Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Programs / OFCCP) I would add a sentence to your job postings similar to ” supports those who have served. Military veterans are encouraged to apply.”
Saying that you are only seeking “qualified veterans” would be confusing, as many veterans are not familiar with OFCCP and may not understand what makes a veteran “qualified” in the eyes of the OFCCP. They may look at it as “‘qualified’ – as opposed to ‘unqualified’?”