WE Work Act

To require a study of Federal agencies to determine which Federal agencies have the greatest impact on women’s participation in the workforce. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Women’s Equality Workforce Oversight Act WE Work Act 2. G.A.O. Study (a) Study required Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of Federal agencies to determine which agencies have the greatest impact on women’s participation in the workforce, and evaluate the impact of these agencies. (b) Suggested agencies Such agencies shall include, at a minimum— (1) the Department of Labor, specifically the Women’s Bureau at such Department; (2) the Department of Transportation; (3) the Small Business Administration, including the Office of Women’s Business Ownership; and (4) any apprenticeship program that receives funding from a Federal agency. 3. Contents of study (a) In general The study required by section 2 shall review and evaluate the following factors, for those agencies that the Comptroller General has identified as having the greatest impact on women’s participation in the workforce, including the following: (1) Policies and procedures The study shall examine— (A) each agency’s policies and procedures related to improving women’s participation in the workforce, including efforts related to fair compensation, benefits, such as paid leave and workplace supports for pregnancy and families, participation in non-traditional and higher-paying jobs, enforcement of workplace rights, and prevention of sexual and other harassment; (B) each agency’s compliance with its statutory and regulatory requirements on these matters; (C) any policy changes in the agency within the study period, and the reasoning for such changes; and (D) any procedural changes to the agency’s reporting and participation within the agency. (2) Impact The study shall also examine— (A) the number of women who received technical assistance, grants, loans, contracts, and other services from the agency in each fiscal year, and the number of such individuals who received these services in the prior five fiscal years; (B) the number of organizations who received such outreach, services, and other engagement with the agency; (C) the extent of the agency’s outreach and public education efforts for women, including the publication of reports and statistics, public announcement of enforcement actions, and regional outreach engaging local stakeholders; (3) Appropriations and staff The study shall consider— (A) any reductions to appropriations and obligations for each agency and the actual and projected impact of these reductions; and (B) any staff reductions in each agency, including attrition, vacancies, and positions eliminated and the impact of these changes. (b) Analysis The study shall also include an analysis of the specific barriers to women’s participation in the workforce, including an assessment of further opportunities to reduce those barriers. 4. Report A report containing the results of the study and analysis shall be transmitted annually to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Homeland Security and Government Affairs and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate.

Summary: Women's Equality Workforce Oversight Act or the WE Work Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to determine which federal agencies have the greatest impact on women's participation in the workforce and evaluate the impact of those agencies. Such agencies shall include, at a minimum: the Department of Labor, specifically the Women's Bureau; the Department of Transportation; the Small Business Administration, including the Office of Women's Business Ownership; and any apprenticeship program that receives funding from a federal agency. The study shall examine, among other things, each agency's policies and procedures for improving the participation of women in the workforce and shall also include an analysis of specific barriers to such participation.