Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Obligations of Government Contractors, Executive Order 11246, as amended; Exemption for Religious Entities

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is amending the regulations implementing Executive Order 11246, as amended, to incorporate the exemption for religious entities prescribed by Executive Order 13279. Executive Order 11246, as amended, prohibits Government contractors and subcontractors, and federally assisted construction contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment, and requires these contractors to take affirmative action to ensure that employees and applicants are treated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Section 4 of Executive Order 13279 amends Section 204 of Executive Order 11246, as amended, to exempt religious corporations, associations, educational institutions and societies from certain nondiscrimination requirements.