New Protected Veterans Hiring Benchmark

News Alert from Ellen Shong & Associates

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has published its new hiring benchmark for protected veterans. The new benchmark was effective July 30, 2025. The revised benchmark is 5.1%, representing a slight decrease from the prior year’s 5.2%.

Most federal government contractors use this OFCCP published benchmark for establishing their annual hiring benchmark for protected veterans. However, contractors can also establish their own benchmarks, provided they adhere to the procedures found in the regulations regarding the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).

See more information on the VEVRAA hiring benchmark at this link.

OFCCP formerly enforced an Executive Order regarding race, ethnicity, sex, and other classes as well as laws regarding individuals with disabilities and certain classes of veterans. While the Executive Order was revoked in January, the other two laws remain in effect. Federal contractors and subcontractors continue to be required to produce affirmative action plans and take other actions regarding veterans protected by VEVRAA if they meet various thresholds to be covered by VEVRAA.