WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today published compliance assistance for 401(k) plan fiduciaries considering plan investments in cryptocurrencies, in an effort aimed at protecting the retirement savings of U.S. workers.

PALISADES PARK, NJ – One of New Jersey’s most flagrant violators of federal workplace safety laws – who continually puts workers at risk of serious injuries or worse – is personally liable for $2 million in penalties assessed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal administrative law judge has ruled.

SAN DIEGO – A federal workplace safety investigation found that a 34-year-old worker’s fatal fall might have been prevented had the operator of a Pauma Valley zip-line attraction implemented required safety measures.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division today published and launched several resources to help combat retaliation by employers against employees for exercising their worker rights. These resources include the following:

EVENT:        

Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Data Users Conference (Mid-Atlantic Region)

WHO:           

William Beach, Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Terance Rephann, Regional Economist, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

WASHINGTON – On the heels of a strong jobs report, workers and jobseekers are taking advantage of opportunities to acquire new skills and explore better opportunities. Many of those workers will seek help from the public workforce system – a network of federal, state and local government-funded programs that provide services to workers, jobseekers and employers that lead to economic growth and improved skills for workers.

FROSTPROOF, FL – A federal judge approved a settlement with a Frostproof farm labor contractor – Jose M. Gracia Harvesting Inc. – who the U.S. Department of Labor found shortchanged workers and failed to provide them with safe and sanitary living conditions – a practice that will require him to pay back wages and a civil money penalty.

In the week ending March 5, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 215,000 to 216,000. The 4-week moving average was 231,250, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 230,500 to 230,750.

Date of action:                       January 11, 2022

Type of action:                      Complaint

Names of defendants:          Sentinel Security Group Inc.

WASHINGTON – The U.S.

ATHENS, GA – A federal investigation has found two Zaxby’s franchise restaurants in Lilburn and Grayson endangered minor-aged employees and allowed them to work outside of prescribed hours, in violation of federal child labor laws.

BOSTON – Após uma investigação e litígio pelo Departamento do Trabalho dos EUA, um tribunal federal condenou uma empresa de poda de árvores de Holbrook e seu proprietário – que ameaçaram um ex-funcionário por participar em uma investigação do departamento da Divisão de Horas e Salários – a pagar ao trabalhador $25,000 em indenizações punitivas.

WASHINGTON – As they develop the habits, skills and other traits needed for future success, young people from age 14 to 21 have a limited window of opportunity. That’s why, when school is not in session, out-of-school time organizations provide supervised programs for young people and expose them to career options that prepare them better to enter and succeed in the workforce.

BOSTON - Tras una investigación y un litigio del Departamento de Trabajo de los Estados Unidos, un tribunal federal ordenó a una empresa de servicios de árboles de Holbrook y a su propietario -que amenazó a un ex empleado que participó en una investigación de la División de Horas y Salarios del departamento- que pagaran al trabajador $25,000 en concepto de daños punitivos.

BOSTON – Following an investigation and litigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, a federal court ordered a Holbrook tree service company and its owner – who threatened a former employee who participated in an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division – to pay the worker $25,000 in punitive damages.

CAMDEN, NJ – On Sept. 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection of My Auto Store after a vehicle lift crushed a worker’s hand in Camden.

GOSHEN, IN – At 18 locations across Indiana, a Goshen-based credit union failed to pay 34 mortgage loan advisors and mortgage loan originators the full overtime wages they were due.

ADGER, AL – A federal workplace safety investigation into the fatal electrocutions of two 19-year-old apprentices in Adger on Aug. 31, 2021, found their employer might have prevented the incident by ensuring required safety standards were followed, and that adequate supervision and training was provided.

WHO:             U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division

                         Bureau of Labor Statistics

NEW KENSINGTON, PA – A federal court has approved a consent judgment ordering a New Kensington landscaping company and its owner to pay $150,000 in back wages and penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found the employer willfully denied overtime pay to its workers.