September 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Pennsylvania Car Repair Center Paying $67,462 in Back Wages and Damages

ELLWOOD CITY, PA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Boehm Family Enterprises LLC – doing business as McElwain Brothers Paint and Collision in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania – has paid $33,731 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 12 mechanics and painters to resolve violations of the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Country Club for Safety Hazards

GAHANNA, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club – located in Gahanna, Ohio – for failing to protect employees from rollover hazards after a worker suffered fatal injuries when the lawnmower he was operating tipped over.

September 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Announces New Policies to Increase Transparency

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced two directives focused on providing more transparency in OFCCP activities as an essential tool for promoting compliance. These directives, which continue the goals of the Department's recently announced Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI), encourage and facilitate fair and transparent OFCCP compliance evaluations, and OFCCP efficiency and consistency:

September 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Releases Reports on Child Labor and Forced Labor Around the World

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today released two reports that shine a spotlight on child labor and forced labor in nations around the world: the eighth edition of the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor and the 17th annual edition of the Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor.

September 20, 2018

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending September 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 201,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 204,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since November 15, 1969 when it was 197,000. The 4-week moving average was 205,750, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 208,000. This is the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969 when it was 204,500.

September 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Connecticut Employer For Exposing Employees to Fall Hazards at Construction Jobsite

BRIDGEPORT, CT – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited L.L.E. Construction LLC for exposing employees to fall and other hazards at a construction worksite in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The company faces $146,554 in proposed penalties.

September 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers and the Public to be Vigilant And Mindful of Hazards Following Hurricane Florence

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges emergency crews in the areas affected by Hurricane Florence to be aware of hazards from flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees, and storm debris.

"Workers involved in storm recovery can face a range of safety and health hazards," said OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer. "Risks can be minimized with knowledge, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment."

September 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Assistance For Hurricane Florence Recovery

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in states affected by Hurricane Florence.

"The Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration-wide efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Florence's devastation," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "As Americans come together to help each other recover from this hurricane, the Department of Labor is committed to supporting the American worker."

September 18, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Five Contractors for Safety Violations Following Florida Pedestrian Bridge Collapse

MIAMI, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on Friday, September 14, cited multiple contractors for safety violations after one employee suffered fatal injuries and five other employees sustained serious injuries when a pedestrian bridge at the Florida International University campus in Miami collapsed. The five companies collectively received seven violations, totaling $86,658 in proposed penalties.

September 18, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Georgia Peanut Processing Facility, Places Company in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program

LEESBURG, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Great Southern Peanut LLC for safety and health violations after conducting a follow-up inspection as part of a formal settlement with the agency. The Leesburg, Georgia, peanut processing facility faces $309,505 in proposed penalties.

September 17, 2018

North Carolina Sawmill Pays Back Wages and Penalty After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Child Labor and Wage Violations

RUTHERFORDTON, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has assessed D&M Logging Inc. a civil penalty of $9,112 for violating Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) child labor requirements after a minor suffered a hand injury while employed at the company’s sawmill in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. D&M Logging Inc. paid the civil money penalty. Additionally, D&M Logging Inc. paid $12,692 to 11 employees to correct the overtime violations.

September 17, 2018

Federal Court Orders Maryland Business Owner to Pay $354,175 in Restitution, Serve Prison Term for Theft from Employee Benefit Plan

GREENBELT, MD – The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Southern Division, has sentenced a Maryland business owner to one year and one day of imprisonment, and $354,175 in restitution for violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Nathan G. Williams pleaded guilty to one count of theft or embezzlement from his company's employee benefit plan in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 664.

September 17, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Garage Door Hardware Manufacturer After Employee Amputation

ARCHBOLD, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Napoleon Spring Works Inc. for willful and serious safety violations after a temporary employee's arm was amputated. The Archbold, Ohio, garage door hardware manufacturer faces proposed penalties totaling $284,540.

OSHA investigators found the company failed to implement lockout/tag out procedures to prevent equipment from moving unintentionally during production, train employees on lockout/tagout practices, and install adequate machine guarding.

September 17, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Two Companies After Fatal Fall At Communication Tower Worksite in Mississippi

UTICA, MS – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Midway Tower Service Inc. and Bracken Equipment Holdings LLC for exposing employees to fall and struck-by hazards after an employee suffered fatal injuries at a Utica, Mississippi, worksite.

September 17, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Session About Proposed Overtime Rule in Providence, Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI – On September 24, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Providence, Rhode Island, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the "Overtime Rule."

September 17, 2018

Statement by U.S. Secretary Of Labor Acosta On National Hispanic Heritage Month

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement today regarding the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month:

"National Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all Americans to celebrate Hispanic-Americans' vibrant and rich traditions that are passed on from one generation to the next. This year's theme, Hispanics: One Endless Voice to Enhance our Tradition, invites us to reflect on Hispanic-Americans' shared multicultural heritage and impact.

September 14, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Enters Partnership to Promote Safety During Illinois Courthouse Construction Project

JOLIET, IL– The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Gilbane Building Company signed a strategic partnership to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the Will County Courthouse. The Three Rivers Construction Alliance, Will and Grundy Counties Building Trades Council, and Illinois On-Site Consultation are also partners on the 10-story project to be completed in September 2020.

September 14, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Stands Ready to Assist Georgia in Wake of Hurricane Florence

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of its commitment to state and local partners facing a serious impact by Hurricane Florence, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced it is ready to make available National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to help Georgia assess its workforce needs.

September 13, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Washington State Staffing Company Paying $355,478 to Resolve Wage Violations

SEATTLE, WA – People Tech Group Inc. – a Redmond, Washington, information technology staffing company – will pay 12 employees $309,914 after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the company violated the labor provisions of the H-1B visa program by paying its guest workers far below the required wages, and sometimes not paying them at all. The Department also assessed the company $45,564 in civil penalties for the violations.

September 13, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Recovers $3.5 Million in Back Wages and Benefits to Employees at a Long Beach, California, Company

LONG BEACH, CA – California Cartage Company LLC – based in Long Beach, California – will pay $3,573,074 to 1,416 employees after the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the company violated federal contract provisions of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).