October 26, 2021

US Department of Labor initiates rulemaking to protect workers, outdoors and indoors, from heat hazards amid rising temperatures

WASHINGTON, DC Record-breaking heat in the U.S. in 2021 endangered millions of workers exposed to heat illness and injury in both indoor and outdoor work environments. Workers in outdoor and indoor work settings without adequate climate-controlled environments are at risk of hazardous heat exposure, and workers of color are exposed disproportionately to hazardous levels of heat in essential jobs across these work settings.

October 26, 2021

Louisville eyeglass manufacturer, US Department of Labor agreement resolves alleged discrimination affecting 654 Black, white job applicants

LOUISVILLE, KY – A Louisville-based maker of eyeglasses and other optical goods that allegedly discriminated against 654 Black and white applicants for production positions will pay $227,636 in back wages and interest to the applicants, and make 31 job offers as positions become available.

October 25, 2021

US Department of Labor announces temporary enforcement policy on prohibited transaction rules applicable to investment advice fiduciaries

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced Field Assistance Bulletin 2021-02, “Temporary Enforcement Policy on Prohibited Transaction Rules Applicable to Investment Advice Fiduciaries.”

October 25, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $783,616 in wages, fringe benefits for 14 contract workers, their union at Jamaica federal building

NEW YORK – For several years, workers for a building services contractor maintained HVAC services, electrical and lighting systems, elevators, fire safety equipment and internal mail distribution at a federal office building in Jamaica, Queens, under a federal contract with the Social Security Administration. The contract was worth $3.4 million in its final year.

October 25, 2021

Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. demanda a procesadoras avícolas de La Puente que no pagaron horas extras a sus trabajadores

WEST COVINA, CA - Las investigaciones realizadas por la División de Horas y Salarios del Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. a menudo revelan violaciones causadas por una mala interpretación de la ley federal así como intentos flagrantes de pagar de menos intencionalmente a trabajadores y engañar a competidores.

October 25, 2021

US Department of Labor files suit on behalf of workers of La Puente poultry processors who failed to pay overtime wages

WEST COVINA, CA – Investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division often reveal violations caused by a misunderstanding of federal law as well as blatant efforts to intentionally shortchange workers and cheat competitors.

October 25, 2021

US Department of Labor awards $1.6M in incremental funding to continue employment, training services to combat Connecticut’s opioid crisis

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1.6 million incremental funding award to the Connecticut Department of Labor to support job creation and workforce training services in eight communities affected significantly by widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

October 22, 2021

US Department of Labor finds Mississippi concrete products manufacturer, distributor ignored safety measures in Drummonds

DRUMMONDS, TN – The death of a 67-year-old worker at a Drummonds worksite in April 2021 might have been prevented had their employer not ignored federal workplace requirements, a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation has found.

October 21, 2021

US Department of Labor finds Midwest trailer sales company failed to ensure workers followed measures to prevent COVID-19 spread

CALEDONIA, WI – Responding to a complaint alleging coronavirus hazards, federal workplace safety and health inspectors found a Caledonia company failed to protect workers from the virus’ dangers.  

October 21, 2021

US Department of Labor invites partners to expand employment, training services for transitioning service members, spouses

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service is now accepting applications from public and private sector organizations to enhance the employment and training services it provides to transitioning service members and their spouses through the agency’s Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot.

October 21, 2021

Investigation of deadly trench collapse finds Colorado company exposed workers to excavation hazards in Johnstown

DENVER – A federal workplace safety investigation that followed a deadly trench collapse in Johnstown on April 16 has concluded a Strasburg excavation contractor failed to take required safety precautions that might have prevented the death of a 50-year-old worker.

October 21, 2021

US Department of Labor seeking nominations for newly reestablished Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking nominations for membership for the newly reestablished Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, which advises the Secretary of Labor on all matters relating to the occupational safety and health of federal employees.

October 21, 2021

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending October 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 290,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 293,000 to 296,000. The 4-week moving average was 319,750, a decrease of 15,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since March 14, 2020 when it was 225,500. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 334,250 to 335,000.

October 20, 2021

US Department of Labor proposes $38K in fines for Illinois healthcare facility where workers were not fully protected from coronavirus hazards

BYRON, IL – An inspection at a Byron rehabilitation and post-acute care facility found the healthcare facility did not comply with federal respiratory protection requirements in the facility’s quarantine area and failed to protect workers from coronavirus hazards.

October 20, 2021

Federal investigation of employee injury finds Temple, Texas furniture manufacturer repeatedly exposed workers to amputation hazards

TEMPLE, TX – While the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has given a Temple furniture design and manufacturing company several opportunities to stop exposing its workers to amputation hazards, an investigation into a recent serious injury found little has changed.

October 20, 2021

OSHA launches initiative to protect Midwest workers from occupational exposure to hazardous substances, other health hazards

KANSAS CITY, MO ‒ Occupational exposure to hazardous substances, such as asbestos, formaldehyde and cadmium, can lead to cancer and other long-term serious health diagnos

October 20, 2021

US Department of Labor and Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity sign agreement to share information, conduct joint operations

DETROIT The U.S. Department of Labor’s offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids and the State of Michigan, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to provide opportunities for the agencies to conduct joint investigations and joint outreach as well as share training materials and other information as appropriate.

October 20, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $27K for 74 delivery drivers denied mileage reimbursement by Jimmy John’s franchisee in Clemson, Anderson

COLUMBIA, SC – Employers who expect their workers to use personal vehicles on behalf of the business must provide mileage reimbursement or they may be in violation of federal law, the operator of two sandwich shops in Clemson and Anderson has learned.

October 19, 2021

Investigation in Puerto Rico recovers $106K in overtime wages for 136 security guards misclassified as independent contractors

GUAYNABO, PR – A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation has found a Puerto Rico-based security services company misclassified 136 of its employees as independent contractors, denying them overtime pay required under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.