WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Keeping America’s Workplaces Safe and Healthy:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released a Training and Employment Guidance Letter today announcing its vision for a priority of service in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult program and explaining how the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) expects states to implement the priority requirement. 

WASHINGTON, DC – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Nov. 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations arising from 244 inspections for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $3,301,932.

OSHA inspections have resulted in the agency citing employers for violations, including failures to:

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today the resumption of normal enforcement operations in Mississippi’s Hancock and Harrison counties following Hurricane Zeta.

In the week ending November 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 778,000, an increase of 30,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 742,000 to 748,000. The 4-week moving average was 748,500, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,500 from 742,000 to 743,500.

LOS ANGELES, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Delta Fabrication – a sheet metal parts manufacturer based in Canoga Park, California – will pay $19,694 in back wages to 71 employees. The company wrongly paid workers only two-thirds of their regular rates when they took coronavirus-related sick leave, a violation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

SANFORD, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Trinity Technology Group Inc. – a federal contractor based in Manassas, Virginia – has paid $24,823 in back wages to 102 employees to resolve violations of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) for work performed at the Orlando/Sanford International Airport in Sanford, Florida.

GLENMORA, LA – After an investigation by the U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he visited the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant. During his tour, Secretary Scalia learned about the Volkswagen Academy, which offers a combination of classroom and hands-on instruction for careers in the Volkswagen plant.

SUWANEE, GA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Boston Coffee Inc. – the operator of a Suwanee, Georgia, Dunkin’ location – has paid $1,040 in back wages after wrongly denying emergency paid sick leave to an employee who self-quarantined after receiving a coronavirus diagnosis.

SCHLATER, MS – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Tackett Fish Farms LLC – based in Schlater, Mississippi – has paid $30,963 in back wages to 38 employees for violating the labor provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act’s H-2A visa program. 

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and its Wage and Hour Division (WHD) remind employers of their responsibility to protect worker safety and pay during the holiday season.

CARROLLTON, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with McCarthy Building Companies to promote worker safety and health at the West Georgia Technical College-New Carroll County Campus project in Carrollton, Georgia. The Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute – Safety, Health and Environmental Services Group will also support this effort.

MORRISVILLE, NC – Computer manufacturer Lenovo Inc. has paid an employee $108,152 to resolve violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act disclosed in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.

WASHINGTON, DC – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Nov. 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued 232 citations arising from inspections for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $3,148,452.

OSHA inspections have resulted in the agency citing employers for violations, including failures to:

MORTON, MS – After investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), three Mississippi poultry processing plants have paid $45,719 in back wages to 129 employees to resolve minimum wage and overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

PLANO, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and DXC Technology Co. (DXC) – formerly known as Hewlett-Packard Co. – have entered into a conciliation agreement to resolve allegations of compensation discrimination against female employees.

FORT MYERS, FL – S & O Groceries Inc. – operating as Bravo Supermarket in Fort Myers, Florida – has paid $13,781 in back wages to two employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Department also assessed the grocery store a civil penalty of $806 for the repeat nature of the violations.

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has launched an education and enforcement initiative in eight Southeastern states to ensure construction companies that work on federal or federally assisted construction projects meet prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).