NCJ Number
58945
Journal
Labor Law Journal Volume: 26 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1975) Pages: 679-685
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS DISCUSSION OF THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 AND SPECIFICALLY SECTION 503 STRESSES THE NEED FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN THE HIRING OF THE HANDICAPPED IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
Abstract
SECTION 503 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT STATES THAT ANY EMPLOYER WITH A FEDERAL CONTRACT OR SUBCONTRACT MUST TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO HIRE AND PROMOTE QUALIFIED PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS. THIS MEANS PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING AN OUTREACH PROGRAM SO THE HANDICAPPED ARE SCREENED IN, RATHER THAN SCREENED OUT, BY EMPLOYERS. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION MUST ALSO ENLIST THE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT OF RECRUITING SOURCES SUCH AS THE STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS SERVING THE HANDICAPPED. THIS COULD INCLUDE REVIEWING EMPLOYMENT RECORDS TO DETERMINE IF THE SKILLS OF THE CURRENT HANDICAPPED EMPLOYEES ARE BEING FULLY UTILIZED AND DEVELOPED. IT MIGHT INVOLVE MODIFYING CERTAIN TOOLS SO A HANDICAPPED EMPLOYEE CAN DO THE JOB. THIS ARTICLE, BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR FOR EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS, DETAILS HOW THE SECTION 503 PROGRAM DEVELOPED AND HOW A CONTRACTOR CAN TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. IDEAS SUGGESTED ARE POSITIVE RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, ACCOMMODATIONS TO THE LIMITATIONS OF REEVALUATION OF PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR THE JOB, FOR THE JOB COMPENSATION POLICY, AND INTERNAL AND DISSEMINATION OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY. A DISCUSSION DISCUSSION OF HOW SECTION 503 IS ENFORCED FOLLOWS, WITH ADVICE ON THE PROCEDURES COMPLAINANTS SHOULD USE TO FILE GRIEVANCES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. A SECTION DEALS WITH PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING SECTION 503. LASTLY, THE PROBLEMS THAT STILL REMAIN IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM ARE OUTLINED, AND EMPLOYERS ARE URGED TO PROVIDE GREATER JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HANDICAPPED.