The regulations do not require contractors to provide definitions of the EEO-1 categories or protected veteran categories when soliciting voluntary information from applicants and employees. Appendix B of the new Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) regulations provides sample language for the voluntary self-identification that does include the definitions, but this is suggested language and not required language. What it does require is that the invitation should: 1) state that the contractor is a federal contractor required to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans pursuant to the Act; 2) summarize the relevant portions of the Act and the contractor's affirmative action program; and 3) state that the information is being requested on a voluntary basis, that it will be kept confidential, that refusal to provide it will not subject the applicant to any adverse treatment, and that it will not be used in a manner inconsistent with the Act. That being said, as a best practice, you might still want to include the definitions, especially for the protected veteran categories, as applicants and employees may not necessarily be familiar with who falls under these categories.

You can use this OFCCP audit checklist to ensure you're doing what is required to maintain OFCCP's regulations including VEVRAA, Section 503, and EO 11246. Or request a demo to streamline your compliance and recruiting efforts.