Department of Labor

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that will allow employers to more easily offer perks and benefits to their employees. The rule released today marks the first significant update to the regulations governing regular rate requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in over 50 years. Those … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Final Rule Makes It Easier to Offer Perks to Workers

In the week ending December 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 252,000, an increase of 49,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 203,000. This is the highest level for initial claims since September 30, 2017 when it was 257,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,000, an increase of 6,250 from … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – During the National Council for the American Worker meeting held today at the White House, U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia announced a Veterans’ Employment Challenge competition aimed at developing a new tool to help transitioning service members of the military in their job searches. Employers recognize the value that veterans offer, yet may … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces $1 Million Competition To Better Connect Transitioning Service Members and Employers

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement: “We are very encouraged to see the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) move closer to passage. This deal is a victory for the American workforce. After 25 years, it is time to replace the outdated North American Free … Read moreStatement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

“Today, on National Miners Day, we join our fellow Americans in recognizing the hundreds of thousands of men and women who perform painstaking work in more than 13,000 mines across the country. Every day, miners secure the raw coal, metal and non-metal materials that help power and build our nation. At the Department of Labor, … Read moreStatement by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on National Miners Day

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on the November 2019 Employment Situation report: “The November jobs report vastly outpaced predictions, with 266,000 jobs created. With 41,000 jobs in upward revisions for September and October, 6.6 million total jobs have been created since January 2017. “The unemployment rate of … Read moreStatement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the November Jobs Report

In the week ending November 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 203,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 213,000. The 4-week moving average was 217,750, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 219,750. Please follow and like us:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD) remind employers to protect worker safety and pay during the upcoming holiday season. “During the busy holiday season, employers must focus on protecting their workers by anticipating and preventing potential hazards in the workplace,” said … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Promotes Worker Safety And Pay During the Holiday Season

In the week ending November 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 227,000 to 228,000. The 4-week moving average was 219,750, a decrease of 1,500 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia and Congressman Tim Walberg toured Classic Turning Inc. in Jackson, Michigan. Secretary Scalia and Congressman Walberg underscored the robust economic expansion many communities are experiencing. “In our visit today, we’ve seen the strength of the current U.S. economy and bright prospects for the future,” said … Read moreU.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia and Michigan Congressman Walberg Discuss Workforce Development and Career Education

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced a record-high number of more than 250,000 new apprentices in Fiscal Year 2019, including over 80,000 new apprentices in the last quarter of FY 2019 – a new quarterly record high. The fourth quarter approximate total is 10% more than the … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Record-High Number Of Apprentices for Fiscal Year 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today released its program results for Fiscal Year 2019. EBSA’s enforcement and benefit advisor programs recovered over $2.5 billion in payments to plans, participants and beneficiaries. EBSA’s enforcement program reported over $2 billion in recoveries from its investigations. Under its Terminated Vested … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Restores Over $2.5 Billion To Employee Benefit Plans and Participants

In the week ending November 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, unchanged from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 225,000 to 227,000. The 4-week moving average was 221,000, an increase of 3,500 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’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the IRS and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) today released advance informational copies of the 2019 Form 5500 Annual Return/Report and related instructions. The “Changes to Note” section of the 2019 instructions highlights important modifications to the Form 5500 and Form … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Releases Advance Copies Of Form 5500 Annual Return/Report for 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the Administration’s latest Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), aimed at increasing price transparency in healthcare through a combined effort of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury: “Today’s proposal outlines a path towards greater openness and transparency in our … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Joins Departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury to Improve Price and Quality Transparency in Healthcare

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of National Apprenticeship Week activities, the U.S. Department of Labor today hosted over 200 stakeholders from around the country at the National Summit on Women in Apprenticeship at the Department’s headquarters in Washington D.C. Sponsored by the Department’s Women’s Bureau, the summit – which brought together apprenticeship sponsors, employers, educational … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week Continues With National Summit on Women in Apprenticeship

In the week ending November 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 225,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 211,000. The 4-week moving average was 217,000, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 215,250. Please follow and like us:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Departments of Labor and Homeland Security today posted a Final Rule on the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) website amending the regulations that govern the H-2B temporary non-agricultural labor certification. This rule will aid Americans looking to find and fill some of the 7 million open jobs in the … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Announce New Regulations to Modernize and Improve the Recruitment of American Workers for Temporary Non-Agricultural Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia visited Phelps ACE High School’s career fair to meet with high school students as part of National Apprenticeship Week. The mentoring and networking career fair was sponsored by the DC Students Construction Trades Foundation, which sponsors accredited technical education for high school youth and registered … Read moreU.S. Secretary of Labor Visits Phelps ACE High School Career Fair During National Apprenticeship Week

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released a comprehensive Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) for the construction industry. The guide will assist contractors meet their legal requirements and responsibilities for equal employment opportunity by preventing violations before they occur. OFCCP published the TAG for the construction … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Releases Updated Technical Assistance Guide For Construction Industry Contractors

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the start of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2019. During NAW 2019, events are hosted across the country to celebrate the work of apprentices with thousands of participants nationwide. “National Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on the opportunities apprenticeships offer to workers and employers,” said U.S. … Read moreFifth Annual National Apprenticeship Week Aims to Highlight Innovative Programs and Raise Awareness

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia today issued the following statement regarding Veterans Day: “Every year on this day, Americans across the country put aside their daily activities to honor the sacrifice and bravery of our nation’s veterans. We at the Department of Labor join our fellow Americans in saluting the men … Read moreU.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Statement Regarding Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released its first scheduling list solely for reviews focused on compliance with the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These reviews will be similar in scope to reviews OFCCP began earlier in 2019 focused on compliance with … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Provides Scheduling List for Federal Contractors Subject to Reviews for Compliance with Vietnam Veterans Era Laws

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today released a directive renewing its commitment to military spouses. The directive encourages contractors to recruit, hire and retain the spouses of veterans and active duty military. Directive 2020-01, “Spouses of Protected Veterans,” will require OFCCP compliance officers to inquire … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Issues Directive Promoting Employment of Military Spouses

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the issuance of two opinion letters that will assist active duty service members in their transitions to the civilian workforce. The first letter, issued by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), addresses the applicability of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Davis Bacon … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Issues Opinion Letters to Enhance Military Service Members’ Ability to Succeed in Civilian Workforce

In the week ending November 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 211,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 218,000 to 219,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,250, an increase of 250 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

ARLINGTON, VA – For the fifth consecutive year, none of the nation’s more than 13,000 mining operations met the criteria for a Pattern of Violations (POV), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced today. The screening period started on September 1, 2018, and ended on August 31, 2019. The POV … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Determines No U.S. Mining Operations Met Pattern of Violations Criteria for 5th Consecutive Year

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded 427 employers from around the nation for recruiting, employing and retaining America’s veterans. The award recipients attest to hiring more than 52,000 veterans since 2017. The awards were presented at a ceremony hosted by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Presents 2019 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would both expand worker access to support opportunities, such as apprenticeships, and make it easier for states to administer the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) Program. This NPRM marks the first proposed regulatory update to the TAA … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Proposes Increasing Workers’ Assistance And Protection Against Foreign Trade

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) intended to clarify OFCCP’s authority to help veterans, uniformed service members, and their families get access to the healthcare services they need. The proposed rule would clarify that OFCCP has no authority … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Seeks to Clarify Rule to Improve Veterans, Military Service Members and Families’ Access to Healthcare

WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) today announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow job creators to offer bonuses or other incentive-based pay to employees whose hours vary from week to week. The proposal would revise the regulation for computing overtime compensation for salaried, non-exempt … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Proposal to Expand Access To Bonuses for America’s Workers

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on the October 2019 Employment Situation report: “Significantly exceeding expectations, the U.S. economy added 128,000 new jobs in October. An additional 95,000 jobs in upward revisions for August and September show a stronger labor market than previously reported. “The unemployment rate remains … Read moreStatement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the October Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $20 million in funding as part of a new pilot grant program that addresses the health and economic impacts of widespread substance and opioid misuse, addiction and overdose by providing retraining and other services to workers in significantly impacted communities. … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Funding Opportunity To Support Communities Impacted by the Opioid Crisis

In the week ending October 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 218,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 1,000 from 212,000 to 213,000. The 4-week moving average was 214,750, a decrease of 500 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia and Deputy Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella joined mental health advocates today at an event marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) at the U.S. Department of Labor’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the event opened with remarks … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Hosts National Disability Employment Awareness Month Event on Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs Director Julia Hearthway issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance for Nuclear Weapons Program Workers: “Seventy-seven years ago, the United States launched the Manhattan Project to harness the power of the atom and create the first atomic bomb. “In … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Statement on the National Day of Remembrance for Nuclear Weapons Program Workers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith is now the Director of the Department’s Women Bureau. “Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith has dedicated her life to delivering crucial workforce education in her community,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia. “As we approach the 100-year celebration of the Women’s Bureau, Dr. Todd-Smith … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith As Director of the Women’s Bureau

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recovered a record $322 million in wages owed to workers in Fiscal Year 2019. WHD also set a new record for compliance assistance events in FY 2019, holding more than 3,700 educational outreach events – including on-the-ground presentations and trainings – … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Delivers Record $322 Million in Recovered Wages For Workers in Fiscal Year 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) had a record-setting Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. OFCCP is dedicated to its important mission of ensuring equal employment opportunity (EEO) and non-discrimination in employment for the approximately 25% of America’s workforce employed by federal contractors. OFCCP had … Read moreU.S. Department of Labor Announces Record Year for Monetary Settlements and Compliance Assistance by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

In the week ending October 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 212,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 4,000 from 214,000 to 218,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,000, a decrease of 750 from the previous week’s revised average. … Read moreUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report