President Biden last week signed a wide-ranging new Executive Order (E.O.) designed to promote competition throughout the economy. Among other things, the E.O. establishes a White House Competition Council, outlines broad policy goals, and itemizes dozens of specific actions that federal agencies are instructed to consider pursuing in order to promote competition.
Although the E.O. does not contain explicit workplace mandates, it is likely only a matter of time before particular agencies begin pursuing policies consistent with the E.O. that could impact workplace compliance. For example, the E.O. calls for agencies to consider limiting the use of non-compete agreements and occupational licensing requirements. The E.O. also urges agencies to consider using federal procurement policy, in addition to regulatory policy, to advance the E.O.’s objectives, which could open the door for the return of the Obama Administration’s controversial “high road” initiative, related to its controversial “blacklisting” rules.
Members of the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC) can read more here.