November 2, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Revises Memorandum of Understanding On Coordination of Civil Rights Enforcement

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) revised the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it has with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on the coordination functions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Executive Order 11246.

November 2, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule to Update Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology to Protect American Workers and Help American Farmers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that updates the methodology for determining the annual Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) in the H-2A visa program.

November 2, 2020

American Workers Come First, Trump Administration Launches ‘Engaging as One Workforce for America’ Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (Department of Labor) and Agriculture (Department of Agriculture) will be joining efforts to put American workers first in a post-coronavirus economic recovery initiative to help more families experience the benefits of work.

November 2, 2020

ICYMI: U.S. Department of Labor Acts to Help American Workers and Employers During the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

October 30, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Workforce Development In Detroit, Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Detroit, Michigan, where he visited Atlas Tube to meet with company leadership and employees to discuss the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the nation’s continued economic recovery. Secretary Scalia toured the facility at Atlas Tube and spoke with employees, discussing workforce safety and the expansion of manufacturing opportunities.

October 30, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Respiratory Protection Guidance For Long-Term Care Facilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued respiratory protection guidance focused on protecting workers in nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs) from occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus.

October 30, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Final Rule To Protect Americans’ Retirement Investments

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that updates and clarifies the Department’s investment duties regulation in 29 CFR 2550.404a-1.

October 30, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Workforce Development In St. Louis, Missouri

WASHINGTON, DC – On Oct. 29, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, where he highlighted President Trump’s continued efforts to safely reopen the economy and strengthen America’s workforce. Secretary Scalia participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce with local business leaders from Missouri and Illinois, discussing the current strong economic rebound and highlighting apprenticeships as a way to build a skilled labor force.

October 30, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Announces $2,025,431 In Coronavirus Violations

WASHINGTON, DC – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Oct. 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited 144 establishments for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $2,025,431.  

OSHA inspections have resulted in the agency citing employers for violations, including failures to:

October 30, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor and Becton, Dickinson and Company Enter Agreement to Resolve Alleged Compensation Discrimination

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with Becton, Dickinson and Co. – a federal contractor – to resolve allegations of compensation discrimination at the medical technology company’s facilities in Sparks and Hunt Valley, Maryland. While the employer denies OFCCP’s allegations, Becton, Dickinson and Company has agreed to pay $100,000 in back pay and interest to 104 African American female employees.

October 29, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers, Employers and Public To Be Aware of Hazards After Hurricane Zeta

DALLAS, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Zeta to be aware of hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees and storm debris.

October 29, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Workforce Development In Le Center, Minnesota

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Le Center, Minnesota, where he joined Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) to highlight safely re-opening America’s economy. Secretary Scalia and the Congressman toured the candy-making company Maud Borup, where they met with employees and company leadership. The Secretary then participated in a roundtable with the Congressman and local Minnesota business leaders.

October 29, 2020

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on Strong Economic Data

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the strong economic data released today:

 

“This morning’s economic news shows sustained momentum and confirms that our nation is bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic faster than predicted. 

 

October 29, 2020

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending October 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 751,000, a decrease of 40,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 4,000 from 787,000 to 791,000. The 4-week moving average was 787,750, a decrease of 24,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,000 from 811,250 to 812,250.

October 28, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces up to $3 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding for Derecho Recovery in Iowa

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $3 million, awarded to Iowa Workforce Development, in response to the severe storms of August 2020. 

October 28, 2020

Court Orders New Hampshire Flooring Company to Pay $250,000 in Back Wages And Damages After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation, Litigation

MANCHESTER, NH – The U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire has ordered C & C Flooring LLC and owner Christopher Coburn to pay 33 current and former employees a total of $240,000 in back wages and liquidated damages and $10,000 in punitive damages, to resolve violations of the overtime and anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The defendants have also paid a civil money penalty of $13,688 for the willful nature of the violations.

October 28, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Provides $1.5 Billion in Adult and Dislocated Worker Funding to States and Territories

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is providing $1.5 billion in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult and Dislocated Worker program funds to states and territories.

These investments will help states and local areas provide services to businesses and job seekers and support the public workforce system in filling 6.6 million existing job postings.[1]

October 27, 2020

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia On International Religious Freedom Day

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on International Religious Freedom Day:

October 27, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Restores Over $3.1 Billion to Employee Benefit Plans, Participants and Beneficiaries, the Most Ever

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) issued its fiscal year (FY) 2020 enforcement fact sheet highlighting the Agency’s recovery of over $3.1 billion in direct payments to plans, participants and beneficiaries in FY 2020.

October 26, 2020

Hawaiian Landscaping Company Pays $83,192 in Back Wages For Overtime Violations Found by U.S. Department of Labor

HONOLULU, HI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), The Miranda Group – a landscaping company based on Kauai, Hawaii – has paid $83,192 to 48 employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime requirements.