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A for modernization: Labor Department excels on IT scorecard
Twice a year, Congress releases a scorecard grading the 24 largest federal agencies on their IT strategies. The U.S. Department of Labor is proud to announce that we have received an overall "A" on the latest report card, improving from a "B."
Empowering workers with AI: A union-partner approach
With Labor in the title, it’s no surprise that the Department of Labor is committed to supporting our nation’s workers. And when it comes to artificial intelligence, we’re making sure everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in how it’s used – including unions.
Ensuring support for unemployment insurance claimants
Unemployment is often unexpected and always unsettling, and it can happen for any number of reasons. Take, for instance, the recent devastation from Hurricane Beryl in Texas, or last summer’s widespread wildfires in Hawaii. In both cases, the Department of Labor partnered with states to offer both online and in-person government-operated identity verification services to individuals who file for unemployment benefits.
New tool connects miners with vital health resources
OCIO collaborated with the Mine Safety and Health Administration to develop a new tool that provides quick access to health services tailored to miners' unique needs.
Streamlining services for injured federal workers
From prolonged pandemics to sudden disasters, the Department of Labor plays a crucial role in supporting federal workers who get hurt or sick on the job. The nearly 20-year-old system we use to manage and review benefits claims for 2.5 million government employees and their families is getting a major upgrade, thanks to a $42 million investment.
How We've Saved 1,000 Trees (and Counting!)
The Department of Labor is proud to announce a major milestone: we have eliminated approximately 10 million pieces of paper through our eFile/eServe System, or EFS. This is just one of many IT systems we have modernized at the department that improves efficiency and user experience – and reduces our reliance on paper waste.
Empowering Innovation: Women in Tech at OCIO
The tech industry has a well-documented gender gap. The Department of Labor is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and diversity, both across the nation’s workforce and within our Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). Creating a space where diverse voices are heard and valued empowers women and creates a balanced tech industry that benefits everyone.
How OCIO is Using AI to Enrich (Not Replace) Jobs
Artificial intelligence is capturing headlines, sparking curiosity and concern. While it may sound like science fiction sometimes, the reality is that it's simply a tool – and it’s up to us how we choose to use it.
The federal government, through the Biden-Harris administration's AI executive order, is championing the deployment of responsible and trustworthy AI. At the Department of Labor's Office of the Chief Information Officer, our focus is on harnessing AI for job enrichment rather than job replacement.
OCIO's Commitment to Ongoing IT Modernization
Cloud migration is a top priority at the Department of Labor. It saves taxpayer dollars and is an important measure on the latest FITARA scorecard. The department earned an overall B grade, a reflection of the scorecard's new "cloud computing" category.
5 Ways OCIO Supports Responsible Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is finding its way into more aspects of everyday life, including the way we work. The Office of the Chief Information Officer is responding to the recent executive order calling for "Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence."
A Year of Innovation Supporting America's Workers
The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has been hard at work over the past year, dedicated to serving America's workforce through technology – in ways both seen and unseen – to serve workers, support job seekers and protect retirees.
Making the Grade in IT Modernization
The Department of Labor is putting in the work to modernize our IT systems. Not only does this make it more efficient to support America’s workforce, but it also saves taxpayer money and resources. And Congress is taking notice: We earned the top overall grade on the latest FITARA scorecard.
Top Skills for 3 High-Performing Technology Teams
Here at the Office of the Chief Information Officer, we're passionate about making a difference in the lives of America's workers, job seekers and retirees. We use information technology solutions to enable that mission. Much of that work – from keeping our networks running to developing the latest apps – is often done behind the scenes. We'd like to pull back the curtain and share the type of skills we look for on our tech teams.
A New Investment to Enhance Cyber Strength
The Department of Labor received it's fourth TMF investment to enhance it's cybersecurity efforts in protecting a treasure trove of data related to America's workers.
New ID Proofing Options Expand Equity in Accessing Benefits
The Department of Labor is providing new digital and non-digital pathways for people to prove their identity and obtain government services, which will help ensure the integrity of the unemployment insurance system while simultaneously expanding benefits to those who need it most.
Top 5 Things You Missed at Federal Tech Day 2023!
Tech Day 2023 saw nearly 100 displays and 50 exhibits from 14 federal agencies. Learn more about the event's award-winning booths, panel discussions and notable comments from VIP speakers.
Innovative Technologies at the Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor uses emerging technologies like AI and automation to improve services for America’s workforce. We'll be showcasing a few of these innovations and others at Federal Tech Day on May 18, but read on for a sneak preview!
Supporting Women's Success in STEM
In celebration of Women's History Month, we spoke with OCIO technology leader, Beth Nettles, who serves as Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA)'s Section Chief of Mission Applications to learn about her experiences in the STEM field.
Successfully Navigating Hybrid Work – The OCIO Way
The COVID-19 pandemic put every workplace to the test – the Department of Labor included. At the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), we had to be ready to transition the majority of staff to telework so the department could keep serving America's workers, retirees, and job seekers. This meant providing solid digital infrastructure and agile technical support to department staff.
A majority of Department of Labor employees are now working in a hybrid role, meaning there is a mix of remote and on-site teams. OCIO understands that as work needs change for the public and our staff, so too does IT support.
OCIO: What We’ve Accomplished and a Preview of 2023
2022 was an impactful year for the Department of Labor’s Office of the Chief Information Officer. As workers faced complexities bought on by a global pandemic, we continued to build on the momentum from previous years and continued to innovate IT solutions to support the Department of Labor’s mission.
3 Apps for America's Workers
These days, the power to search for jobs, track a paystub or get up-to-date job safety information can be found in the palm of our hands.
As the Department of Labor's IT hub, the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) helps create and deliver that technology to America's workers. OCIO has partnered with agencies throughout the Department of Labor to help develop apps to reach a broader audience and provide important information to users without needing an internet connection. Here are three mobile apps that OCIO launched in partnership with some of our mission agencies:
How OCIO Supports Veterans
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month and a time to recognize the important contributions made by U.S. service members. To help support service members who may be transitioning to civilian life, the U.S. Department of Labor provides a suite of training and career resources for military veterans and spouses. The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) works to ensure a smooth transition for those looking for civilian careers. The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), the department's IT hub, helps support VETS in these efforts.
See Yourself in Cybersecurity
We have transformed into a digital society where most data is stored electronically. Unfortunately, the increase in accessible data has also led to an increase in cyber threats. With this shift, cybersecurity has become one of the fastest-growing industries within the information technology space for federal agencies. The Office of the Chief Information Officer is at the forefront of cybersecurity solutions for the Department of Labor and is constantly seeking the brightest talent to protect the data of America’s workers.
Reducing Technical Debt at the Department of Labor
In the technology field, the term "technical debt" has various meanings, but it is widely used to refer to the results of inefficient or outdated software and applications, which can have devastating impacts on both public and private organizations. Technical debt not only leads to negative user experiences, it can also impact the efficacy of an organization's mission.
Using Emerging Technology to Support American Workers
At the U.S. Department of Labor, we’re eager to adopt and implement the latest technologies.
