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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-8743
The Labor Department's annual program to honor federal
contractors for leadership in ensuring equal employment opportunities will be
held in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 19, Deputy Assistant Secretary Shirley J.
Wilcher announced today.
Wilcher, head of the department's Office of Federal
Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), said that nominations are being solicited
for three awards: the Secretary's Opportunity 2000, the Exemplary Voluntary
Efforts (EVE) and the Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC).
"This annual program gives public recognition to employers
who have demonstrated leadership in meeting the challenges of today by
implementing innovative programs which improve the well-being of workers,
increase the productivity of this country and ensure a well-trained and
diversified workforce," Wilcher said. The EVE award, initiated in 1983, honors
contractors and associations for their innovative efforts to increase
employment opportunities for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities
and veterans.
The Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award, initiated in 1988,
honors one corporation for its comprehensive workforce strategy to ensure equal
employment and a multi-faceted affirmative action program to ensure a
productive and diverse workforce, including outreach through community-based
projects.
The EPIC Award, initiated in 1994, recognizes public
interest groups that have supported affirmative action and linked their efforts
with those of federal contractors to enhance employment opportunities for
minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and Vietnam-era veterans.
Award recipients are self-nominated federal contractors or
organizations that support the mission of OFCCP. EVE and Opportunity 2000 award
nominees must be in full compliance with the anti-discrimination law and must
have had a compliance review within the past three years.
OFCCP encourages all eligible contractors and organizations
to submit nominations. Nominations are reviewed by a senior management panel
with final selection made by the deputy assistant secretary of OFCCP.
Last year's top honor went to the Xerox Corporation, which
received the Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award. EVE and EPIC awards were
presented to CBS, Mobil Corporation, Seattle First National Bank, The Law
Company (Wichita, Kan.), Atlanta Regional Liaison Group, Disabled American
Veterans and Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, both from Washington, D.C.,
and the New York City-based National Center For Disability Services.
Nominations should be sent to OFCCP regional directors, who
will review and forward nominations to the national headquarters by February
26.
For additional information, interested nominees may contact
OFCCP regional directors or Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Program
Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Rm. C-3325, Washington, DC 29210.
OFCCP, as part of the Employment Standards Administration,
enforces laws requiring federal contractors to provide equal employment
opportunity without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin,
disability or Vietnam-era status.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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