In the week ending January 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 214,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 222,000 to 223,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,000, a decrease of 9,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 233,250 to 233,500.

D’IBERVILLE, MS – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Advanced Construction & Development LLC – based in Biloxi, Mississippi – for exposing employees to excavation hazards at a D’Iberville, Mississippi, worksite. The contractor faces $79,559 in penalties.

HONOLULU, HI – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Phoenix Renovation Corp. – a plumbing service company based in Honolulu, Hawaii – and its construction subsidiary will collectively pay $134,623 to 93 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Additionally, WHD assessed the companies a total of $61,163 in civil penalties because of the willful nature of the violations.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced three new opinion letters that address compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). An opinion letter is an official, written opinion by the department's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) on how a particular law applies in specific circumstances presented by the person or entity that requested the letter.

The opinion letters issued today are:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is hiring 45 new investigators and 15 new wage and hour technicians. Positions are available throughout the country, with new employees expected to onboard by March 31, 2020.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that John Lowry III of Chicago, Illinois has been sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) today announced plans for a yearlong celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Centered around the theme of “Increasing Access and Opportunity,” commemoration activities will include events, speeches and new compliance assistance resources. The ADA’s anniversary will serve as a key component of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) observance in October.

FARMERS BRANCH, TX – Attorneys from the Dallas Regional Solicitor office obtained a favorable settlement against an employer for violations of the H-1B provisions of the Immigration and Naturalization Act.  The violations against Joon Beauty Line Corporation include failing to pay wages as required to a H-1B worker, failing to maintain a public access file, and substantially failing to provide notice of the filing of the Labor Contract Agreement at each place of employment where any H-1B worker will be employed.

RALEIGH, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), an Athens, Georgia-based disaster relief company will pay $184,838 in wages to 18 employees after an investigation found the company violated federal wage and overtime laws while under contract to provide recovery services in several North Carolina locations in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

GRANITE CITY, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mayco Manufacturing LLC – operating as Mayco Industries Inc. – for exposing employees to lead and arsenic in addition to machine, electrical and fall hazards. The Granite City, Illinois, lead smelter faces $223,148 in penalties for 18 serious health violations. 

ARVILLA, ND – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Columbia Grain International (CGI) LLC for willfully exposing workers to grain-handling hazards after the fatal engulfment of an employee at the company’s Arvilla, North Dakota, storage facility. The company faces $190,000 in proposed penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) today announced a final rule that will allow states to better tailor their staffing approach when providing services in the Employment Service program.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Martha Newton released the following statement recognizing National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Avalon Hunter Jumpers LLC – a Bay Area horse training facility – will pay $33,034 to seven employees for violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SAN JOSE, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), a 7-Eleven store in Concord, California will pay $42,350 in back wages and liquidated damages to 10 employees for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime requirements.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A Bay Area employer providing environmental, labor and social responsibility audits will pay $54,121 in back wages to 10 employees and an additional $5,640 in penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the company violated overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

BEND, OR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Energy Conservation Insulation Company – an insulation contractor based in Bend, Oregon – will pay $159,027 to 31 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

BOISE, ID – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Intermountain Concrete Polishing – a concrete floor polishing company in Meridian, Idaho – will pay $47,676 to four employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SEATTLE, WA – A California-based security services provider has paid $124,029 in back wages and damages to 30 workers formerly employed as security guards at Amazon’s Seattle Spheres geodesic dome facilities, after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In the week ending December 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 222,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 222,000 to 224,000. The 4-week moving average was 233,250, an increase of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the highest level for this average since January 27, 2018 when it was 235,750. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 228,000 to 228,500.