Federal Contractor Final Rule on Sex Discrimination Takes Effect Today

A final rule by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against individuals based on sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, takes effect today, Aug. 15. The bar for businesses to qualify has been set fairly low: Any business holding a single federal contract, subcontract or federally assisted construction contract or subcontract in excess of $10,000 is covered by the new rule. Also if any combination of federal contracts or subcontracts in a 12-month period totals $10,000 or more, that business is covered as well. The final rule seeks to update sexual discrimination guidelines for contractors that haven't been revisited since 1970.