DirectEmployers Blog
DE Talk Unplugged | AI & Early Talent Hiring Trends with NACE
What is the outlook for entry-level candidates in the workforce? We recently kicked off season seven of the DE Talk podcast with a conversation with Shawn VanDerziel, President & CEO of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), to discuss the...
Federal Contractor Regulatory Review: 2025 Highlights from January’s EO 11246 Rescission to July’s NPRMs Affecting Section 503 & VEVRAA
Federal contractors have navigated a turbulent regulatory landscape throughout 2025, starting with significant policy shifts as the Trump Administration re-entered the White House in January. For federal contractors subject to Office of Federal Contract Compliance...
Senate Confirms EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas for Second Term
On Thursday, July 31st, the U.S. Senate confirmed Andrea Lucas for her second term as Acting Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in a vote of 52-45 (see full press release). Lucas was originally appointed by Trump in 2020 where she served as a...
Annual VEVRAA Hiring Benchmark Drops to 5.1%
Despite recently proposed changes, federal contractor requirements under the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) remain strictly in place. As part of the legislation, which requires applicable contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative...
Federal Contractors: VETS-4212 Report Portal Now Open Through September 30th
Beginning today, August 1, 2025, the VETS-4212 Portal is now open for applicable federal contractors to submit their annual VETS-4212 Reports. This requirement, set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor and Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), is for...
Navigating the End of the Federal AI Moratorium: A Guide for Multi-State Employers on Emerging State AI Laws
The landscape of artificial intelligence regulation in employment has taken a turn. The recent Senate vote striking down the proposed 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation by an overwhelming 99-1 margin signals a clear message: states will continue to lead the...
“Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast”: ERGs Remain a Valuable Asset in Post EO 14173 Regulatory Environment
When the long-standing Executive Order 11246 was rescinded on January 21, 2025, and Executive Order 14173, titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity was introduced, contractors were left confused and unsure how to proceed. With no...
OFCCP to Begin Processing VEVRAA & Section 503 Components of Open Compliance Reviews or Complaint Investigations
On July 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced Order 08-2025, formally lifting the temporary pause (abeyance) on the processing and enforcement of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and...
DEAMcon25 Day Three: Bringing Compliance & Recruitment Full-Circle
As the sun rose over the desert sky one last time for DEAMcon25, it brought with it just the energy needed to enter our final conference day–part excitement, part reflection, and a whole lot of gratitude. Day three might have marked the final chapter of this year’s...
DEAMcon25 Day Two: Turning Up the Heat with Insights & Innovation
If our attendees thought we brought the heat for only day one of the conference, then they were in for a treat as we kicked off day two of DEAMcon like a sunbeam on a mission—delivering big ideas, deeper conversations, and a whole lot of "aha!" moments. The day kicked...