Government Contractors Facing New Regulations On Internet Talent Searches, Employment Applications

Being under governmental contract requirements to maintain detailed records of employment applicants, the need to track and maintain records on Internet applications has been a vexing issue.

At the same time, the Department of Labor has been considering a set of rules and definitions about Internet applications that will finally go into effect on February 6th.

The new regulations will force many companies to keep detailed records, not only of Internet applications but also what searches the company has conducted in an effort to add personnel.  Those government contractors who have EEO and other employment requirements will need to develop compliance programs for Internet applicants.

VirtualEdge Corporation (VE), provider of Talent Lifecycle Software solutions, says that it will support customer compliance requirements as set in the final Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

The OFCCP final rule is available at www.dol.gov/esa/regs/fedreg/final/2005020176.htm.

Integrated Record Keeping

VE has integrated additional OFCCP-related features into its solution to support record keeping that is required under this new rule.  Additionally, to help customers prepare for these changes, VE offers recruiting process consulting through VE Strategic Services, an informative webinar for customers, as well as a complimentary white paper.

The OFCCP rule defines an “Internet Applicant” and details how related information should be processed, stored, evaluated and retained for employment and compliance purposes. The new regulation also requires employers to be able to produce all search queries and results after the new rules go into effect. This greatly impacts record keeping processes and requirements.

"During each search of the database, recruiters must document what position they are searching and considering candidates for, and this information must be retained for compliance purposes," commented Roger Coker, VE Vice President of Strategic Services. VE Strategic Services provide Talent Lifecycle consultation to VE customers in areas impacting their recruiting strategy and process.

Jayne Kettles, Chief Technology Officer at VE commented, "VE products and solutions are designed to make it easy for our users to comply with the OFCCP ruling.  Recognizing the importance and impact of this change to our customers and prospects, we have enhanced our technology to help organizations meet the new record keeping requirements."

To learn more about this topic, download the Best Practices white paper, "2006 OFCCP Definition of an 'Internet Applicant'," at www.VirtualEdge.com.

To learn more about VirtualEdge, visit www.VirtualEdge.com or in the United States, call (877) 485-5454.

Return to the January 2006 table of contents