These enforcement statistics are unique for two reasons – first, there are some very high-profile contractors included in the settlements, including several in the financial services and tech industry, which OFCCP has previously identified as industries of interest. Second, some of these monies were recovered under the agency’s new Early Resolution Process, where the contractor agrees to a monetary settlement that resolved several open audits, and the contractor is then not subject to compliance evaluations for a period of five to seven years. The size of the contractors exempted from reviews means other contractors, including smaller contractors who have largely not been on the agency radar recently, are more likely to appear on the agency’s scheduling list.
In the announcement regarding the fiscal results, Director Leen said, "Through a combination of effective enforcement and proactive compliance assistance, OFCCP has made a major impact on ensuring equal employment opportunity for America's workforce, and will continue to do so in the upcoming year.” Agency watchers indicate the pace of change at OFCCP will continue into 2020.