April 7, 2021

North Florida contractor faces $61K in federal penalties for exposing employees to fall hazards at Jacksonville-area worksite

BUNNELL, FL – Falls are among the most fatal hazards construction workers face. A recent inspection of a Bunnell residential work site showed a framing and sheathing contractor failed to protect their employees from falls.

April 7, 2021

US Department of Labor opens dialogue to ensure equity in employment for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that, beginning April 12, it will open a two-week national online dialogue to gather ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities.

April 7, 2021

US Department of Labor issues guidance, model notices implementing American Rescue Plan’s COBRA premium assistance provisions

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor today issued guidance implementing the American Rescue Plan’s Continuation of Health Coverage premium assistance provisions to provide full COBRA premium assistance to certain individuals who have experienced a reduction in hours or involuntary termination of employment.

April 7, 2021

US Department of Labor awards $725K to help at-risk workers overcome barriers to employment

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $725,000 in grants to seven states and territories and the District of Columbia to expand their fidelity bonding programs, which support employers that hire workers considered “at-risk” due to prior involvement in the criminal justice system, as well as those in recovery for substance abuse. These workers often face barriers in their attempts to return to the workforce.

April 6, 2021

US Department of Labor announces relaunch of assistance initiative to ensure employers, others comply with labor-management reporting, disclosures

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Office of Labor-Management Standards has relaunched the Persuader Reporting Orientation Program, a compliance assistance initiative to inform employers and their representatives about potential reporting obligations under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The PROP initiative was in effect previously from 2011 to 2016.

April 6, 2021

OSHA fines New Jersey roofing contractor $201K for exposing employees to willful safety hazards at Mahwah, Elmwood Park worksites

TRENTON, NJ – Employers are required by law to correct hazardous conditions at their workplaces, but a Trenton-based contractor failed to comply with this requirement when one of its employees suffered serious injuries after the roof beneath him collapsed.

April 6, 2021

US Department of Labor cites Waterville auto body manufacturing plant for numerous willful, serious violations

AUGUSTA, ME – Employees at a Waterville auto body manufacturing plant repeatedly informed management of fall and noise hazards but these reports went ignored until the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an inspection on Oct. 1, 2020, in response to a complaint.

April 5, 2021

Pennsylvania nonprofit pays nearly $45K in back wages to 80 employees after US Department of Labor finds overtime violations

GREENVILLE, PA – Every two weeks, supervisors and behavior specialists gathered at Keystone Adolescent Center Inc.’s five Greenville facilities where they discussed policy changes, completed required training and reviewed safety procedures – all to be prepared to help at-risk youth they serve.

April 5, 2021

US Department of Labor to host two-day virtual forum for construction industry employers, workers, other stakeholders

DALLAS – U.S. Department of Labor agencies in the Southwest will host a two-day virtual event April 7-8, 2021, to provide guidance on federal requirements governing construction employment to construction employers, contractors and workers in the region. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives will also participate.

April 5, 2021

Statement by Secretary Marty Walsh on the anniversary of the Upper Big Branch explosion

WASHINGTON, DC – On the 11th anniversary of the explosion at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch mine, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh today issued the following statement:

April 5, 2021

US Department of Labor obtains court order prohibiting Connecticut restaurants, owners from employee retaliation

HARTFORD, CT – Two Fairfield County restaurants and their owners were required to pay $137,465 in back wages and liquidated damages to workers after U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigations found that the employers violated the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

April 2, 2021

OSHA continúa investigando el incidente mortal ocurrido en enero en Foundation Food Group Services en Gainesville

ATLANTA – La Administración de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional del Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. está activamente investigando el incidente en Foundation Food Group Services en Gainesville donde un escape de nitrógeno liquido mató a seis trabajadores el 28 de enero de 2021.  

April 2, 2021

OSHA continues investigation into January fatal incident at Foundation Food Group Services in Gainesville

ATLANTA –  The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is actively investigating an incident at Foundation Food Group Services in Gainesville where a liquid nitrogen leak killed six workers on Jan. 28, 2021. 

April 2, 2021

Statement from U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh on the March 2021 Employment Situation Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the March 2021 Employment Situation Report:

April 2, 2021

US Department of Labor publishes Request for Information for determining prevailing wages for certain immigrants, non-immigrants

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today published a Request for Information soliciting public input on the sources and methods for determining prevailing wage levels for the employment of certain immigrants and non-immigrant workers.

April 1, 2021

US Department of Labor awards initial $3.1M grant to support cleanup, employment, training services after Texas’ severe winter storms

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an initial award of $3,120,612 to the Texas Workforce Commission to provide employment and training services to communities affected by severe winter storms in February 2021. High winds, heavy snow and historically low temperatures knocked out power for millions of residents, and state officials estimate the storms led to nearly 60 deaths.    

April 1, 2021

El Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. lanza la traducción al español de Worker.gov para ampliar la conciencia sobre los derechos de los trabajadores

WASHINGTON, DC El Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU., anunció hoy el lanzamiento de su traducción al español de Worker.gov, su sitio web dedicado a informar a los trabajadores sobre sus derechos y las protecciones federales en el lugar de trabajo.

April 1, 2021

US Department of Labor launches Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot for transitioning service members, spouses

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the launch by its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service of a pilot program to enhance its ability to provide transitioning service members and their spouses with the assistance needed to be successful in the civilian workforce.

April 1, 2021

US Department of Labor launches Spanish translation of Worker.gov to expand awareness of workers’ rights

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the launch of its Spanish-language translation of Worker.gov, a website dedicated to informing workers of their rights and federal workplace protections.

April 1, 2021

OSHA, Austin Power Partners Construction, labor unions sign partnership to promote construction safety on O’Hare Airport Terminal 5 expansion project

CHICAGO – Major construction projects require continued coordination between the general contractor, subcontractors, tradesmen and others working on-site to complete the build on time and on budget. Getting the work done while protecting the safety and health of those on the job takes similar coordination, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration stands ready to assist.