DoD, GSA, and NASA Adopt Final Rule on Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws

The Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have issued a final rule (pdf) adopting regulations that implement Executive Order (EO) 13496: Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws. (pdf)  Among other requirements, this E.O. mandates that all government contracting departments and agencies include a provision in most government contracts stipulating that the contractor post a notice "in all places where notices to employees are customarily posted both physically and electronically," informing them of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Covered contractors are also required to include a similar provision in subcontracts that are necessary to the performance of the government contract and in an amount in excess of $10,000. This notification rule should not be confused with the National Labor Relations Board’s final rule – Notification of Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act – that requires private sector employers subject to the NLRA to post a notice informing employees of their rights under the NLRA.

The final rule to be published in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Federal Register adopts without change interim regulations amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to apply the Department of Labor’s rule on this topic. The DOL’s rule, which was released in May 2010, prescribed the requirements for the size, form, and content of the notice, outlined the exceptions for certain types of contracts, and discussed the standards and procedures related to complaints, penalties, compliance evaluations and enforcement of the notice requirement. In June 2010, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a directive on its procedures for conducting audits to verify that contractors are complying with the E.O.

For more information on the contractor notification requirements mandated by E.O. 13496, see Littler's ASAP: DOL Issues Final Rule on Notification by Federal Contractors of Employee Labor Law Rights.

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Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.