Labor Dept. office requests diversity training information

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs on Thursday published a Request for Information on federal contractor and subcontractor’s diversity training, as required by the executive order issued by President Trump in September.

Some observers have said Executive Order 13950, which forbids employee training that addresses unconscious racist or sexual bias, will upend many companies’ diversity training.

The RFI requests information from federal contractors, subcontractors and their employees about diversity training, workshops or similar programming provided to employees. Submitting information is voluntary.

The RFI states it is seeking information and materials on “Workplace trainings that promote, or could be reasonably interpreted to promote, race or sex stereotyping” and race or sex scapegoating, as well as the duration, frequency and expenses or costs associated with such trainings.

It also asks if there have been any complaints concerning this workplace training; whether any employees have been disciplined for complaining or questioning it; who develops it and whether it is mandatory, among other questions.

Any materials submitted may be subject to public disclosure, including any personal information provided, according to the RIF.

Responses “will help OFCCP develop useful compliance assistance materials and effective enforcement programs, with the important objective of eliminating race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating,” OFCCP program director Craig E. Leen said in a statement.

The agency said it also introduced a “landing page” for the executive order, which takes effect Nov. 21, that includes answers to frequently asked questions, links to the executive order and the RFI. It also includes information about filing a complaint through the OFCCP’s hotline.