The rules for federal contractors are changing. If you work with the federal government, you may have to comply with two new requirements—the new rules on “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” and “Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors.”

SMACNA’s Labor Relations Department has prepared guidance on both these new regulations, available on SMACNA’s Labor Relations webpage. Serious consequences may arise for contractors who fail to follow the new regulations.

On Aug. 25, the U.S. Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (FAR Council) released the final rule implementing the “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” executive order.
The executive order calls for federal agencies to consider a contractor’s compliance with labor law as part of its responsibility determination when awarding procurement contracts for goods and services, including construction.

Guidance prepared by SMACNA’s Labor Relations Department on the Fair Pay and Safe Workplacesexecutive order is available on the HR and Employment Law section of SMACNA’s Labor Relations webpage.

On Sept. 30, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (DOL) released the final rule “Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors.”

The rule (Executive Order 13706) requires contractors working on federal contracts to provide paid sick leave to certain employees.

Guidance on “Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors” is available on the HR and Employment Law section of SMACNA’s Labor Relations webpage. Read SMACNA’s paper, “Understanding the DOL’s Rules on Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors.”

SMACNA encourages all members who do federal work to become familiar with the guidance and review and revise their internal practices in consultation with local counsel.

For questions on these new rules, contact Joye Blanscett in SMACNA’s Labor Relations Department (jblanscett@smacna.org / (703) 803-2980).