Essential Workers – Essential Protections: Your Federal Labor Laws and Rights in the Texas Workplace

The U.S. Department of Labor protects the workplace rights of essential workers who are keeping our country moving forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Workers in grocery stores, health care, delivery services, retail establishments, agriculture, construction and other essential industries have remained on the job despite many potential risks to their own health or that of their families.  The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that these, and all workers, receive the workplace protections provided under the law.

Rapid changes in the workplace have surfaced many questions for workers, their advocates, and employers about safety, wages, hours worked, and time off for workers or their family members dealing with serious illness.  The Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 provide protections for workers that may be more crucial now than ever before.

The Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are pleased to offer a special training for the general public and representatives in Texas on these critical workplace protections through our Essential Workers - Essential Protections Initiative.