Re-Survey of Current Workforce for Disability Status

Does your organization know when the last time the current workforce was surveyed to self-identify as an Individual with a disability? Contractors are required to resurvey the current workforce every 5 years and those regulations went into effect in 2015, so many of our clients are overdue. So, if you are not able to determine when the last survey was completed, it might be a good idea to start planning to complete the survey soon. Additionally, during the five year period, there is a requirement to notify employees they can change their disability status at any time. This requirement is only that the contractor ask the employee to self-identify; the employee can opt not do so. Several of our clients have implemented surveys every one to two years. For some clients, more frequent surveys seem to result in a higher response rate from employees.

Tips for a successful employee survey:

• Resurvey every year or every other year, for ease of remembering
• Include a cover page that explains why the company is asking the question
• Resurvey with employee verification of tax status or other personal information
• Have a manager outside of HR be an advocate for self-identifying, preferably a respected leader or executive

OFCCP has other helpful tips and frequently asked questions on the disability regulations for contractors here.