Compensation May Be An Issue That Candidates on Both Sides of the Aisle Are Willing To Embrace
July 25, 2016
From his earliest days in office, President Barack Obama has made combatting compensation discrimination a top priority. As we are often reminded, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was the very first bill he signed into law. Not long thereafter, the White House created the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force, a cross agency task force aimed at finding ways to crack down on violations of equal pay laws. As this President’s term begins to wind down, we have seen the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) agencies take action. In June, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP) issued new Sex Discrimination Regulations. Earlier this month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in coordination with OFCCP, published revised guidelines that will require employers to include employee compensation information in their annual EEO-1 reports. If the Office of Management and Budget approves, beginning in March 2018, employers with 100 employees or more must share employee pay data with the EEOC and the OFCCP annually.
If last week was any indication, employers, who may have been ignoring the issue under the guise that the increased federal focus on compensation is sure to dissipate in a Trump administration, are likely to be in for quite a surprise. At the Republican National Committee convention last week, the Trump campaign appeared ready to embrace equal pay. During Ivanka Trump’s address to the convention last Thursday, the GOP candidate’s daughter emphasized the need to focus on women’s compensation issues. Ivanka Trump said of her father, “as President … will change the labor laws that were put in place at a time when women weren’t a significant portion of the workplace” and “fight for equal pay for equal work.” Although Donald Trump did not address the issue in his lengthy acceptance speech, on a number of occasions the GOP Presidential candidate has indicated that he is studying it closely and suggested that the campaign may be introducing equal pay policy proposals in the not too distant future.
And it is not just the Republican Presidential candidate that is focusing on compensation. In a surprise to many, outside the formal political platform process, last week Congressman Luke Messer (IN), the Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Republican Policy Committee announced that House Republicans have formed a Working Group on Women in the 21st Century Workforce. The Working Group, which will be chaired by Congresswoman Martha McSally (AZ). will focus on pay disparity and other barriers impacting women in the workforce.
FortneyScott will continue to monitor this issue and anticipate that fair pay issues will garner even greater attention at the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia this week. If you are interested in receiving future development at the national as well as the state level, please contact FortneyScott and we will include you in our email list.
Join FortneyScott attorneys for a complimentary webinar on how employers should prepare for 2026 based on the significant changes in 2025. The Trump Administration begins 2026 with a quorum at the EEOC, new leadership at all the DOL agencies, and the likelihood that the NLRB quorum will be restored soon, so employers should expect aggressive action by all the workforce agencies. This session will provide critical insights into: What to expect from EEOC with its new quorum; An activated DOL, including the new Wage & Hour Division priorities, such as revisions to the Biden-era rules on white collar exemptions and joint employment; new Opinion Letters and compliance tools, how AI is being addressed, and expected developments; Whether OFCCP will survive in 2026, and changes affecting Federal contractors and grant recipients; and Practical steps employers should consider before 2026 begins. This is the final presentation in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series 2025, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives.
Join FortneyScott attorneys for a timely webinar addressing the Trump Administration’s escalating enforcement efforts targeting “illegal DEI” practices among federal contractors, grant recipients, and higher education institutions. In recent months, the Administration has initiated certification demands, expanded DOJ investigations under the False Claims Act, and increased EEOC scrutiny under Title VII. This session will provide critical insights into: The latest developments in federal investigations and enforcement; DEI programs under legal challenge; and Practical steps employers—especially federal contractors and grant recipients—should take now to mitigate legal risk and ensure compliance with EEO laws. This is the third installment in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives.
December 18, 2025 at noon EDT CLICK HERE to Register Join FortneyScott attorneys for a complimentary webinar on how employers should prepare for 2026 based on the significant changes in 2025. The Trump Administration begins 2026 with a quorum at the EEOC, new leadership at all the DOL agencies, and the likelihood that the NLRB quorum will be restored soon, so employers should expect aggressive action by all the workforce agencies. This session will provide critical insights into: What to expect from EEOC with its new quorum; An activated DOL, including the new Wage & Hour Division priorities, such as revisions to the Biden-era rules on white collar exemptions and joint employment; new Opinion Letters and compliance tools, how AI is being addressed, and expected developments; Whether OFCCP will survive in 2026, and changes affecting Federal contractors and grant recipients; and Practical steps employers should consider before 2026 begins. This is the final presentation in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series 2025, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives. To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
The longest US government shutdown has ended; the House will return to Washington and Congress will resume operations; the EEOC has a quorum and can fully operate; the leadership teams for all DOL agencies now are in place; the NLRB waits to learn the fate of its Members; and, the U.S. Supreme Court will be confronting its Emergency Rulings (the “shadow docket”) in merits rulings on the regular docket in several high stakes cases. Everyone in Washington, the US, and, indeed, the whole world is watching and trying to plan their next steps. Join the Employment Law Alliance (ELA) for an engaging and timely webinar where speakers will discuss what is likely to unfold regarding the workplace and beyond. They will offer practical guidance both for US companies and those that do business with the US .
November 20, 2025 at noon EDT CLICK HERE to Register Join FortneyScott attorneys for a timely webinar addressing the Trump Administration’s escalating enforcement efforts targeting “illegal DEI” practices among federal contractors, grant recipients, and higher education institutions. In recent months, the Administration has initiated certification demands, expanded DOJ investigations under the False Claims Act, and increased EEOC scrutiny under Title VII. This session will provide critical insights into: The latest developments in federal investigations and enforcement; DEI programs under legal challenge; and Practical steps employers—especially federal contractors and grant recipients—should take now to mitigate legal risk and ensure compliance with EEO laws. This is the third installment in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives. To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
Understanding that everyone is going into Q4, which is the kickoff of your merit and compensation cycles, we want to support those compliance efforts. Join FortneyScott attorneys and our guest speaker, Rick Holt from Resolution Economics, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at noon EDT for a discussion on strategies for reviewing compensation decisions under the governing legal standards and the Trump Administration’s enforcement priorities. We will focus on discussing: Changes in legal enforcements; Legal considerations for conducting pay analyses; Recommendations on refreshing analysis models; and, Remediation strategies.
Join FortneyScott attorneys for a complimentary webinar on how employers should prepare for 2026 based on the significant changes in 2025. The Trump Administration begins 2026 with a quorum at the EEOC, new leadership at all the DOL agencies, and the likelihood that the NLRB quorum will be restored soon, so employers should expect aggressive action by all the workforce agencies. This session will provide critical insights into: What to expect from EEOC with its new quorum; An activated DOL, including the new Wage & Hour Division priorities, such as revisions to the Biden-era rules on white collar exemptions and joint employment; new Opinion Letters and compliance tools, how AI is being addressed, and expected developments; Whether OFCCP will survive in 2026, and changes affecting Federal contractors and grant recipients; and Practical steps employers should consider before 2026 begins. This is the final presentation in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series 2025, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives.
Join FortneyScott attorneys for a timely webinar addressing the Trump Administration’s escalating enforcement efforts targeting “illegal DEI” practices among federal contractors, grant recipients, and higher education institutions. In recent months, the Administration has initiated certification demands, expanded DOJ investigations under the False Claims Act, and increased EEOC scrutiny under Title VII. This session will provide critical insights into: The latest developments in federal investigations and enforcement; DEI programs under legal challenge; and Practical steps employers—especially federal contractors and grant recipients—should take now to mitigate legal risk and ensure compliance with EEO laws. This is the third installment in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives.
December 18, 2025 at noon EDT CLICK HERE to Register Join FortneyScott attorneys for a complimentary webinar on how employers should prepare for 2026 based on the significant changes in 2025. The Trump Administration begins 2026 with a quorum at the EEOC, new leadership at all the DOL agencies, and the likelihood that the NLRB quorum will be restored soon, so employers should expect aggressive action by all the workforce agencies. This session will provide critical insights into: What to expect from EEOC with its new quorum; An activated DOL, including the new Wage & Hour Division priorities, such as revisions to the Biden-era rules on white collar exemptions and joint employment; new Opinion Letters and compliance tools, how AI is being addressed, and expected developments; Whether OFCCP will survive in 2026, and changes affecting Federal contractors and grant recipients; and Practical steps employers should consider before 2026 begins. This is the final presentation in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series 2025, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives. To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
The longest US government shutdown has ended; the House will return to Washington and Congress will resume operations; the EEOC has a quorum and can fully operate; the leadership teams for all DOL agencies now are in place; the NLRB waits to learn the fate of its Members; and, the U.S. Supreme Court will be confronting its Emergency Rulings (the “shadow docket”) in merits rulings on the regular docket in several high stakes cases. Everyone in Washington, the US, and, indeed, the whole world is watching and trying to plan their next steps. Join the Employment Law Alliance (ELA) for an engaging and timely webinar where speakers will discuss what is likely to unfold regarding the workplace and beyond. They will offer practical guidance both for US companies and those that do business with the US .
November 20, 2025 at noon EDT CLICK HERE to Register Join FortneyScott attorneys for a timely webinar addressing the Trump Administration’s escalating enforcement efforts targeting “illegal DEI” practices among federal contractors, grant recipients, and higher education institutions. In recent months, the Administration has initiated certification demands, expanded DOJ investigations under the False Claims Act, and increased EEOC scrutiny under Title VII. This session will provide critical insights into: The latest developments in federal investigations and enforcement; DEI programs under legal challenge; and Practical steps employers—especially federal contractors and grant recipients—should take now to mitigate legal risk and ensure compliance with EEO laws. This is the third installment in FortneyScott’s four-part Workplace Legal Compliance Webinar Series, designed for in-house counsel, compliance professionals, HR leaders, and business executives. To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
Understanding that everyone is going into Q4, which is the kickoff of your merit and compensation cycles, we want to support those compliance efforts. Join FortneyScott attorneys and our guest speaker, Rick Holt from Resolution Economics, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at noon EDT for a discussion on strategies for reviewing compensation decisions under the governing legal standards and the Trump Administration’s enforcement priorities. We will focus on discussing: Changes in legal enforcements; Legal considerations for conducting pay analyses; Recommendations on refreshing analysis models; and, Remediation strategies.
On Tuesday, December 2, at 2pm EST , join attorneys from Novus Law Firm and FortneyScott and an I/O Psychologist from DCI as we discuss the scope of data being requested by the federal government and how to ensure that your institution is prepared. To register for this complimentary webinar, please CLICK HERE . Higher Education continues to be targeted by the Administration’s enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. Employment and admissions practices are subject to increased scrutiny by multiple federal agencies. For instance, both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Health & Human Services (HHS) have issued Civil Investigation Demand (CID) letters requiring the submission of voluminous data and documents. These investigations pose significant risks, including potential civil and criminal lability, and the loss of federal contracts and grants. Additionally, the Department of Education (ED) has proposed major changes to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) which, if implemented, would require institutions to report up to six years of detailed admissions data including applicant demographics and admissions criteria for undergraduate and graduate programs. Given this rapidly changing legal compliance landscape, higher education institutions should be prepared for government investigations that scrutinize wide-ranging practices, including those related to employment, admissions, and compensation. We will cover: Responding to federal agency investigations, which can include CIDs & scope of data production How to prepare for a potential investigation How the proposed IPED revisions may impact reporting burdens How federal agencies may use and share institute data Prospective data analytics that should be conducted
Understanding that everyone is going into Q4, which is the kickoff of your merit and compensation cycles, we want to support those compliance efforts. Join FortneyScott attorneys and our guest speaker, Rick Holt from Resolution Economics, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at noon EDT for a discussion on strategies for reviewing compensation decisions under the governing legal standards and the Trump Administration’s enforcement priorities. We will focus on discussing: Changes in legal enforcements; Legal considerations for conducting pay analyses; Recommendations on refreshing analysis models; and, Remediation strategies. To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
Federal policies under the Trump Administration are reshaping workplaces nationwide. Employers must stay ahead of evolving laws and shifting EEOC priorities. Join FortneyScott attorneys on Thursday, September 18th at noon EDT to learn the key steps organizations should take now to ensure compliance with EEO laws influenced by these broader policy changes. Key Topics to be Covered Include: Status of the Commission and what to expect once there is a restored quorum; Current EEOC priorities , including protecting religious liberties, eliminating unlawful DEI, and reshaping sex discrimination; Notable EEOC enforcement actions, updates, and emerging trends; and Actionable strategies and key takeaways to ensure compliance with Title VII, the PWFA, etc . This webinar is the first in a four-part series designed for compliance professionals, in-house counsel, HR and inclusion leaders, and other business leaders responsible for labor and employment law compliance.
Federal policies under the Trump Administration are reshaping workplaces nationwide. Employers must stay ahead of evolving laws and shifting EEOC priorities. Join FortneyScott attorneys on Thursday, September 18 th at noon EDT to learn the key steps organizations should take now to ensure compliance with EEO laws influenced by these broader policy changes. Key Topics to be Covered Include: Status of the Commission and what to expect once there is a restored quorum; Current EEOC priorities , including protecting religious liberties, eliminating unlawful DEI, and reshaping sex discrimination; Notable EEOC enforcement actions, updates, and emerging trends; and Actionable strategies and key takeaways to ensure compliance with Title VII, the PWFA, etc. This webinar is the first in a four-part series designed for compliance professionals, in-house counsel, HR and inclusion leaders, and other business leaders responsible for labor and employment law compliance. To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
