The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced their new Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) on March 24, 2025. Catherine Eschbach will now lead the department in its transition from EO 11246 to EO 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity. Eschbach is quoted as saying she will work to “restore a merit-based system to provide all workers with equal opportunity.”
Eschbach did not address plans for the congressionally mandated Section 503 and VEVRAA requirements. As of now, it seems Contractors are still required to develop affirmative action plans for Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans.
As a reminder, federal contractors no longer have to complete affirmative action plans for Minorites and Women, but can still do so until April 21, 2025, under the 90-day safe harbor period. With EO 14173, federal contractors will now have to certify their DEI programs comply with federal anti-discrimination laws. More guidance on these certifications is expected sometime over the next few months.
Eschbach started her career as a Judicial Law Clerk in Houston, TX and was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Houston, TX in 2017. She then worked as an Appellate Attorney for more than 6 years at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. The law firm focuses on labor and employment, litigation, corporate, and intellectual property services.
Subscribe to our blog to get the latest updates emailed directly to your inbox each week.