OFCCP Publishes Guide on Combatting Harassment in the Construction Industry

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The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released A Guide to Combatting Harassment in the Construction Industry, a resource designed to help federal construction contractors address harassment at worksites. The guide is in a question-and-answer format, making it accessible and easy to navigate for both contractors and workers.

This guide details the legal responsibilities of contractors to ensure workplaces are free from harassment, as mandated by Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA). It explains what constitutes harassment, offers examples, and highlights that unlawful behavior can come from supervisors, coworkers, or third parties, including vendors, clients, and subcontractors.

This guide, to support compliance and create safer workplaces, emphasizes several best practices, including:

• Communicating anti-harassment policies to all personnel.
• Training should be offered that contains examples of harassment and guidance on prevention.
• Posting Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies at job sites.
• Developing and implementing robust complaint and investigation procedures.
• Taking immediate and appropriate action when harassment is reported.

The guide can serve as a tool to support contractors in ensuring compliance and fostering safe, respectful, and equitable workplaces across the construction industry. The guide can be found at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/Construction/files/OFCCP-Harassment-in-Construction-Guide-508c.pdf