MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has begun an education and enforcement initiative to ensure New Jersey's childcare industry complies with federal wage laws, as the Division addresses consistent violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The initiative includes outreach efforts to provide WHD compliance assistance to educate childcare employers. WHD is working with stakeholders in the industry to provide the tools and information they need to understand their responsibilities and to comply with the law.

LOUISVILLE, KY – As a result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky has sentenced David Perez - co-founder of a Louisville, Kentucky, medical clinic - to 27 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and to pay $941,337 restitution for defrauding healthcare benefit programs.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Derek Williams (operating as Elo Restoration Inc.) and Travis Slaughter (operating as Florida Roofing Experts Inc.) for exposing employees to fall hazards at a St. Augustine, Florida, worksite. Each company faces the maximum allowable penalty of $129,336.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Derek Williams – operating as Elo Restoration Inc. – for exposing employees to fall hazards at two separate worksites in St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, Florida. The roofing contractor faces $116,551 in penalties.

BRUNDIDGE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Southern Classic Food Group LLC for amputation and other hazards after two employees were hospitalized in separate incidents. The Brundidge, Alabama, food processor faces $164,997 in penalties.

MIAMI, FL – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced the chief executive officer and the chief operating officer of Smart Lab LLC to prison and ordered them and the company to pay more than $9.6 million in restitution after a federal investigation found that they had defrauded healthcare benefit programs.

In the week ending November 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 224,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 5,000 from 216,000 to 221,000. The 4-week moving average was 218,500, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,250 from 215,250 to 216,500.

CLEVELAND, OH – As a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio has sentenced business executive C. David Snyder of Cleveland, Ohio, to serve 24 months of imprisonment, followed by an additional three years of supervised release, and to make more than $781,000 in restitution, following a federal investigation and prosecution leading to conviction on charges of embezzlement and tax fraud.

DENVER, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a conciliation agreement with Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope Inc. - a federal government contractor that supplies building materials - to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination at the company’s Denver, Colorado, facility.

WASHINGTON, DC – As the holiday season approaches, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD) are reminding employers to protect worker safety and pay. 

“Whether employees are stocking shelves, packing boxes, delivering products, or selling merchandise, they have the right to a safe workplace,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “Employers should focus on their responsibility to protect all employees during the busy holiday season.”

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in California affected by devastating wildfires.

"The Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration efforts to help those impacted by devastating wildfires in California," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "As Californians come together to help their friends, neighbors, and all individuals who have been affected recover, the Department of Labor is committed to supporting the American worker."

WEST COVINA, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Pho Ha Pomona Inc. – operator of Pho Ha Vietnamese Restaurant based in Pomona, California – will pay $219,716 in back wages and liquidated damages to 33 employees for minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

PHOENIX, AZ – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Sound Image – a audio, visual and lighting installation company in Tempe, Arizona – has paid 32 employees $120,860 in back wages and liquidated damages for violating overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to provide technical assistance and outreach in areas hit hardest by Hurricane Michael, and is returning to normal enforcement operations throughout most of Florida and Georgia.

LAKEWOOD, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mister Cookie Face LLC for machine safety hazards after an employee suffered an amputation at the Lakewood, New Jersey, facility. The company faces $103,476 in penalties.

SPRINGDALE, AR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Rental Concepts LLC - doing business as RNR Tire Express in Springdale, Arkansas - has paid $96,511 in back wages to 239 employees to resolve systemic violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions. The employer also violated the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) recordkeeping provisions.

HIALEAH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited PGT Industries Inc. – operating as CGI Windows and Doors Inc. in Hialeah, Florida – for machine guarding hazards after an employee suffered a partial finger amputation while working on an unguarded punch press. The window and door manufacturer faces $398,545 in penalties, including the maximum amount allowed by law for the violations that can cause life-altering injury. 

LAS VEGAS, NV - The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will present an educational forum about developments in its policies and regulations, and the Department's Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) Program, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 27, 2018.

WEST COVINA, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Pacific Custom Pools Inc. – based in Pasadena, California – will pay $104,739 to 13 employees for overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

RIVERSIDE, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Super Happy Buffet – a restaurant based in Riverside, California – will pay $65,704 to 10 employees for minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).