Department of Labor

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released a new Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) for Educational Institutions to assist them in meeting their legal requirements and responsibilities as federal contractors. OFCCP published the new TAG to reflect current regulations and provide practical, useful compliance assistance resources for … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Provides Compliance Assistance Guide For Educational Institutions with Federal Contracts

In the week ending October 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 210,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 219,000 to 220,000. The 4-week moving average was 213,750, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposed rule for tip provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) implementing provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (CAA). The proposal would also codify existing Wage and Hour Division (WHD) guidance into a rule. The CAA prohibits employers from keeping employees’ tips. … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Tipped Employees

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on the September 2019 Employment Situation report: “In September, the unemployment rate dropped to a 50-year low at 3.5%. This was the nineteenth straight month that the unemployment rate has been at or below 4%. “Low unemployment rates were widespread across Americans … Read moreStatement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the September Jobs Report

In the week ending September 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 219,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 213,000 to 215,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,500, unchanged from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today published a final rule that provides greater clarity and flexibility to states as they identify the occupations for which they will conduct drug testing in the unemployment insurance (UI) program.   “The flexibility offered in the new rule respects state differences with regard to employment drug … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule For Unemployment Insurance Drug Testing

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald J. Trump today issued a proclamation recognizing October 2019 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), initiating a series of coast-to-coast events and activities to honor the contributions workers with disabilities make to America’s workplaces and economy. The theme for 2019 is “The Right Talent, Right Now.” “National Disability Employment … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Kicks Off National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Presidential Proclamation

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Rachel Mondl as the new Chief of Staff. “Rachel is an outstanding public servant with a tremendous dedication to helping America’s workers,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia said. “Rachel will play a key role in the Department’s efforts to help America’s workforce gain access … Read moreRachel Mondl Named Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Labor

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment & Training Services (VETS) today announced a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) contract to provide employment-related transition services, such as classroom instruction, personalized career transition assistance and apprenticeship placement services to approximately 200,000 transitioning service members annually at military installations worldwide. “Service members transitioning into the … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards Contract to Assist Veterans In Transition to Civilian Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the awards of nearly $2.5 million in grant funding to organizations in five states to help women affected by the opioid crisis to re-enter the workforce. The 2019 Re-Employment, Support, and Training for the Opioid Related Epidemic (RESTORE) grants are intended to foster cooperative relationships … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Awards of Grants To Help Women Affected by the Opioid Crisis Re-enter Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC – Following a White House swearing-in event today led by President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia released the following statement. “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve in President Trump’s Administration and to lead this great Department where I worked nearly … Read moreU.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia Sworn into Office

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration today awarded $29,175,000 in demonstration grant funds to expand the impact of workforce development efforts in the Appalachian and Delta regions through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant initiative.  These grant funds, awarded in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards Workforce Development Demonstration Grants of $29.2 Million to 18 Organizations in Appalachian and Delta Regions

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of additional National Dislocated Worker Grant funding of $2,268,997 to the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP). The funding will provide continued employment and training services to dislocated workers impacted by secondary layoffs in mining communities resulting from the decline of the … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards Additional Dislocated Worker Grant Funding to Support Workers in Eastern Kentucky

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $3,590,635 in additional funding to the Texas Workforce Commission for a National Dislocated Worker Grant currently serving dislocated workers at Fort Hood and Red River Army Depot (RRAD), located in Killeen and Texarkana, Texas, respectively.  In October 2018, the Department initially approved … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards $3.5 Million in Additional Assistance to Dislocated Workers from Fort Hood and Red River Army Depot in Texas

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today released the 18th annual edition of its Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor. The report, prepared by the Department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), shines a spotlight on child labor globally and assesses the progress some countries have made in upholding their international … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Releases Report on Global Child Labor

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $1,994,444 in National Dislocated Worker Grant funding to the West Kentucky Workforce Development Board to provide reemployment services to individuals impacted by the closure of an engine manufacturing facility owned by the Briggs & Stratton Corporation, located in Murray, Kentucky. The Dislocated … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards $1.9 Million Dislocated Worker Grant to West Kentucky Workforce Development Board After Manufacturing Layoffs

WASHINGTON, DC – During a special ceremony today at the U.S. Department of Labor, Acting Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella spoke at the induction of Senator Robert P. Griffin and Former NLRB Board Member Howard Jenkins Jr. into the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor and the 60th anniversary of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Inducts Senator Robert P. Griffin and Former NLRB Board Member Howard Jenkins Jr. into the Hall of Honor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program has put more than $4 million in back wages into the hands of 7,429 employees since the program began last year. The Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), which administers this program, submitted a report today to the Senate Committee on … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor’s Payroll Audit Independent Determination Program Finds More Than $4 Million in Back Wages for 7,429 Employees

In the week ending September 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 208,000 to 210,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,000, a decrease of 750 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) today announced a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Black Lung Benefits Act’s standards for administering and interpreting medical testing in connection with black lung benefits claims. The Department encourages medical professionals, black lung clinics, employers, miners, and other stakeholders to … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Seeks Input on Updating Medical Testing Standards Under the Black Lung Benefits Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella today announced the designation of Jonathan Wolfson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, as the Department’s Regulatory Reform Officer. The Regulatory Reform Officer has the responsibility to oversee implementation of the Department’s regulatory reform initiatives and policies, ensuring that these are carried out effectively and consistently with applicable … Read moreActing U.S. Secretary of Labor Announces Regulatory Reform Personnel Designations

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to make 1.3 million American workers eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). “For the first time in over 15 years, America’s workers will have an update to overtime regulations that will put overtime pay into the pockets … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Overtime Rule

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) announced the implementation of new opioid controls to protect injured federal workers. The new controls aim to reduce the risk of long-term opioid use. The Department is committed to reducing the potential of opioid misuse among injured federal workers receiving … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Implements Opioid Safety Controls to Help Injured Federal Workers Avoid Risk of Long-Term Opioid Use

WASHINGTON, DC – The application period for the fall 2020 Honors Program in the Office of the Solicitor at the U.S. Department of Labor is underway. The program provides challenging professional opportunities for outstanding law school graduates with a passion for public service. The approximately 550 attorneys in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Solicitor’s Office … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Solicitor Accepting Applications for 2020 Honors Program

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded approximately $10.5 million in Susan Harwood federal safety and health training grants to 79 nonprofit organizations nationwide. The grants will provide education and training programs to help workers and employers recognize serious workplace hazards, implement injury prevention measures and … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training Grants to Assist in Educating Workers and Employers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has issued a Final Rule aimed at helping Americans find open agricultural jobs by modernizing the labor market test for H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification in the Federal Register. The improved labor market test will assess whether qualified American workers are available … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Final Rule to Modernize and Improve the Recruitment of American Workers for Temporary Agricultural Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced Scott Gibbons as Chief Data Officer to lead the Department’s Data Board and Christina Yancey as Chief Evaluation Officer for the Department. “A commitment to rigorous program evaluations and an improved digital infrastructure are two key components of the Department of Labor’s future success,” Acting U.S. … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Chief Data Officer, Data Board, and Chief Evaluation Officer

In the week ending September 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 208,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 204,000 to 206,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,250, a decrease of 750 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the fifth annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) will be held from November 11-17, 2019. Established by the U.S. Department of Labor, NAW is a nationwide celebration that brings together business leaders, labor, educational institutions, and Americans interested in apprenticeships to showcase the impact apprenticeship … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Fifth Annual National Apprenticeship Week

In the week ending September 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 204,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 217,000 to 219,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,500, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Connecticut Department of Labor for up to $4,757,845, with $1,585,948 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Connecticut affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Grant to Connecticut for Jobs and Employment Services in Response to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it has issued three new opinion letters that address compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA). An opinion letter is an official, written opinion by the Department’s … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Issues Three New Wage and Hour Opinion Letters

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC) has re-affirmed its award of a contract to Coventry Health Care Workers’ Compensation Inc. that will allow the program to implement changes that improve and expand medication safety and quality initiatives for injured federal workers. … Read moreNew Medication Safety and Improvement Initiatives For Injured Federal Workers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Dorian. “The U.S. Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration-wide efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Dorian,” said Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella. “As Americans from across the country … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Actions to Assist Americans Impacted By Hurricane Dorian

ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced the award of $400,000 in funding through its Brookwood-Sago grant program to support education and training to help identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation’s mines.  The Fiscal Year 2019 grants focus on powered … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Awards $400,000 in Brookwood-Sago Grants For Mine Safety Education and Training

WASHINGTON, DC – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella issued the following statement on the August 2019 Employment Situation report: “America’s economy continued to show strength in August. The 3.7% unemployment rate marks the eighteenth straight month the unemployment rate has been at or below 4%. Unemployment rates for African-Americans set a new record … Read moreStatement by Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Pizzella on the August Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced guidance clarifying affirmative action program (AAP) development for academic institutions and other contractors with campus-like settings, and advancing the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). OFCCP also issued a complementary policy directive limiting compliance reviews of academic institutions … Read moreBack to School: U.S. Department of Labor Offers New Guidance and Assistance for Educational Institutions and Federal Contractors

In the week ending August 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 217,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 215,000 to 216,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,250, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released the following update regarding Senior Policy Advisor Leif Olson of the Wage and Hour Division. “On Friday, August 30, 2019, Senior Policy Advisor of the Wage and Hour Division, Leif Olson offered his resignation and the Department accepted. Following a thorough reexamination of the available information … Read moreWage and Hour Division Senior Policy Advisor Leif Olson Update

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has extended the application submission deadline for its Excellence in Disability Inclusion (EDI) Awards to November 1. Employers who have already submitted an application may update it if desired. The EDI Awards will recognize federal contractors who excel in this regard through two levels of recognition: Up … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Extends Deadline for Excellence in Disability Inclusion Awards Submissions