September 12, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Funding to Support Reemployment Services After Auto Industry Layoffs in Northeast Ohio

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $875,000 in National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to assess workforce needs after layoffs from the General Motors plant in Lordstown, as well as from three additional auto industry suppliers in Northeast Ohio.

September 12, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Protects American Workers With H-2B Education and Enforcement Initiative in the Landscaping Industry

WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the landscaping industry. The initiative includes providing compliance assistance tools and information to employers and stakeholders, as well as conducting investigations of employers using this program.

September 10, 2018

CORRECTED: U.S. Department of Labor Investigations Result in San Diego-Area Massage Parlors Paying $61,317 to Resolve Wage Violations

SAN DIEGO, CA – Two San Diego-area massage parlor companies – Yuanjun International Inc. and Rama Thai Massage – will pay 17 employees a collective $61,317 after U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigations found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Alabama Woodworking Company For Exposing Employees to Fire and Explosion Hazards

GREENVILLE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Harrison Industries LLC - operating as Structural Wood Systems Inc. - for exposing employees to multiple hazards at its Greenville, Alabama, worksite. The company faces $85,362 in proposed penalties.

September 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Wage and Child Labor Violations at Mississippi Slaughterhouse

SUMMIT, MS – Kased Brothers Halal Meat Inc. – a slaughterhouse based in Summit, Mississippi – paid $14,768 in back wages to 12 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the company violated minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company was assessed and paid a civil penalty of $8,368 for child labor violations.

September 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Session About Proposed Overtime Rule in Denver, Colorado

DENVER, CO – On September 14, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Denver, Colorado, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the "Overtime Rule."

September 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Session About Proposed Overtime Rule in Kansas City, Missouri

KANSAS CITY, MO On September 13, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Kansas City, Missouri, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

September 7, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Session about Proposed Overtime Rule in Seattle, Washington

SEATTLE, WA – On September 11, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Seattle, Washington, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the "Overtime Rule."

September 7, 2018

Florida Construction Company to Pay $111,197 in Back Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Violations

WINTER GARDEN, FL – KBL Buildings Inc. – based in Winter Garden, Florida – will pay $111,197 in back wages to 100 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found that the metal framing construction company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 7, 2018

Orlando Contractor to Pay $574,989 After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Improper Pay Deductions

ORLANDO, FL – Loyal Source Government Services LLC – a medical and support staff contactor based in Orlando, Florida – will pay $574,989 to 4,047 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation determined the company violated the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).

WHD investigators found Loyal Source Government Services LLC unlawfully deducted $10 per paycheck from each employee for the administration of employee health and welfare benefits.

September 7, 2018

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on the August Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding the August 2018 Employment Situation Report:

"The August jobs report shows continued, strong job growth with 201,000 jobs created and an unemployment rate holding at 3.9%.  More than 4 million jobs have been created since November 2016.  Since 1970, the unemployment rate has registered below 4% just nine times; four of those months have been recorded during 2018.

September 6, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers and the Public to be Vigilant And Mindful of Hazards During Tropical Storm Gordon Cleanup

ATLANTA, GA – Emergency crews and residents of the Gulf Coast region of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi faced with debris caused by Tropical Storm Gordon should be aware of hazards they may encounter and take steps to stay safe, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges.

September 6, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Joins Partnership to Promote Workplace Safety During Construction Project in Georgia

SAVANNAH, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute's Safety, Health, and Environmental Services Group; Choate Construction Co.; and Associated General Contractors of Georgia Inc. (AGC Georgia) have signed a strategic partnership agreement to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the Eastern Wharf-River Works, a multi-story mixed used development project in Savannah.

September 6, 2018

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending September 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 203,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 213,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since December 6, 1969 when it was 202,000. The 4-week moving average was 209,500, a decrease of 2,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 212,250. This is the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969 when it was 204,500.

September 5, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division Signs Agreements With Puerto Rico Agencies to Share Information and Resources

SAN JUAN, PR – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has signed agreements with the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, Labor Standards Division (PR-LSD), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (OCPR) to establish collaborative relationships to promote compliance with laws where the agencies have common interests.

September 5, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Protects American Workers With H-2B Education and Enforcement Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the hotel industry.

September 5, 2018

Court Orders Pennsylvania Restaurant to Pay $88,282 in Back Wages, Damages and Penalties Following U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

BETHEL PARK, PA – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment against Danny's Pizza Enterprises Inc. – a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, quick-service restaurant doing business as Danny's Pizza & Hoagies – following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found the employer violated the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 3, 2018

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on Labor Day

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta released the following statement regarding Labor Day:

“Today, on Labor Day, we celebrate the accomplishments of the American workforce, a record 156 million strong.

August 31, 2018

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on President’s Executive Order Regarding Retirement Security

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement today regarding President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order strengthening retirement security for employees in small and mid-sized businesses:

August 30, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Apprenticeship.gov

New Site Will Feature an Apprenticeship Finder Tool and Other Resources

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of a new digital platform, Apprenticeship.gov. This innovative web portal features an Apprenticeship Finder tool that offers career seekers a platform to search for apprenticeships by city, state and occupation, as well as connects job seekers to high-skilled, high-paying careers.