April 19, 2021

US Department of Labor investigation finds three Florida mail-hauling contractors in violation of federal contract requirements

ORLANDO, FL – Private mail carriers provide useful support in mail delivery across the nation, and those who work for these federal contractors are expected to meet schedules, and follow specific standards. When three Florida-based contractors failed to deliver all of the workers’ hard-earned wages, the U.S. Department of Labor responded on the workers’ behalf.

April 19, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $20K in back wages for 31 workers after investigation finds overtime violations by North Charleston company

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – During the pandemic, commercial cleaning workers remain a lifeline to businesses, keeping employees, customers and others safe. These workers risk coronavirus exposure in return for the wages they need to care for themselves and their families.

April 16, 2021

US Department of Labor award of $382K grant will promote, enhance Maine Department of Labor’s Short-Time Compensation program

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award a $382,579 grant to the Maine Department of Labor to promote and enhance its Short-Time Compensation program.

April 16, 2021

US Department of Labor partners with Dellbrook/JKS to promote workplace safety at Massachusetts construction site

CAMBRIDGE, MA The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Dellbrook/JKS Inc., a regional construction management company, have signed a partnership agreement to promote worker safety and health at a construction project near the Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge.

April 15, 2021

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending April 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 576,000, a decrease of 193,000 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 25,000 from 744,000 to 769,000. The 4-week moving average was 683,000, a decrease of 47,250 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 6,500 from 723,750 to 730,250.

April 14, 2021

US Department of Labor announces new cybersecurity guidance for plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record-keepers, plan participants

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced new guidance for plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record keepers and plan participants on best practices for maintaining cybersecurity, including tips on how to protect the retirement benefits of America’s workers. This is the first time the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has issued cybersecurity guidance.

April 14, 2021

US Department of Labor selects seven states to participate in its initiative to improve employment outcomes for people with mental health conditions

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has selected seven states to participate in its Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment initiative that aims to align state policy and funding to increase competitive integrated employment for individuals with mental health conditions.

April 13, 2021

US Department of Labor releases guidance on investment advice exemption

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration today issued guidance on fiduciary investment advice for retirement investors, employee benefit plans and investment advice providers. The guidance relates to the department’s “Improving Investment Advice for Workers & Retirees” exemption and follows its Feb.

April 13, 2021

US Department of Labor cites Massachusetts tax preparation business for refusing to provide, practice coronavirus safeguards for employees

BOSTON – The owner of a Lynn, Massachusetts, tax preparation service faces $136,532 in penalties for prohibiting her employees and customers from wearing masks, failing to ensure employees and customers practiced social distancing, and refusing to implement other safeguards against the coronavirus.

April 12, 2021

OSHA partners with Pennsylvania companies to promote workplace safety during Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center construction

HARRISBURG, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Barton Malow and Alexander Building Construction Co. have established a strategic partnership to promote workplace safety during construction of the Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center in Lancaster.

April 12, 2021

Federal court appoints independent fiduciary as claims administrator of Medova arrangement

KANSAS CITY, MO – A consent order entered by the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas has appointed Receivership Management Inc. – an independent fiduciary based in Madison, Tennessee – to serve as claims administrator and oversee employee benefit plans and assets previously administered by Medova Healthcare Financial Group.

April 12, 2021

US Department of Labor recovers $47K in back wages after investigation finds Hancock County Sheriff’s Department violated overtime laws

SNEEDVILLE, TN The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department in Sneedville found they had failed to follow the law after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation determined the employer did not pay required overtime or comp time to employees who worked more than 40 hours per workweek.

April 12, 2021

Maggiano’s Little Italy pays $116K in back wages after US Department of Labor finds minimum wage, overtime violations

PHILADELPHIA – Many chain restaurant managers hold pre-shift meetings to motivate their employees, reinforce training, update the day’s menu and, ultimately, to maximize profits. The time spent in these meetings is typically time for which employers should also be paying their workers, something a well-known national restaurant chain learned in a recent U.S. Department of Labor investigation.

April 9, 2021

Seattle-area restaurants’ owner pays $53K to 22 workers after U.S. Department of Labor investigation finds overtime violations

SEATTLE – Restaurant operators who fail to pay their typically low-wage workers all of their hard-earned wages and divert customers’ tips meant for those workers are underserving their employees and breaking the law.

April 9, 2021

Southern California roofing company pays $616K to 341 workers after U.S. Department of Labor finds overtime violations

WEST COVINA, CA – An Orange County roofing company learned recently that failing to comply with federal wage and hour laws can be costly.

April 9, 2021

US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh Addresses President’s Fiscal Year 2022 Discretionary Funding Request

WASHINGTON, DC The Biden-Harris Administration today submitted to Congress the president’s priorities for fiscal year 2022 discretionary spending. The funding request invests in the core foundations of our country’s strength and advances key Department of Labor priorities.

April 8, 2021

US Department of Labor, Texas Panhandle construction industry group to continue alliance to protect workers’ safety, health

AMARILLO, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Panhandle of Texas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors in Amarillo renewed a three-year alliance designed to educate employers and employees on construction hazards.

April 8, 2021

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending April 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 744,000, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 9,000 from 719,000 to 728,000. The 4-week moving average was 723,750, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 2,250 from 719,000 to 721,250.

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.