September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Over $40 Million in Grants Through Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $41 million in grants to 47 states and Puerto Rico through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. This annual formula grant provides funding to states for training and other activities, including training services, job search, and relocation allowances, and employment and case management services to serve eligible workers affected by foreign trade.

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $156 Million in Grants to Provide Career Services and Training Services to Low-Income Older Individuals

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of approximately $156 million in grants through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) to provide career services and training services to low-income older individuals who are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers Back Wages for Employees After Restaurant Misses Payroll in Violation of Federal Law

AUSTIN, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Bottom of the Cup Inc. – a café and coffee house based in Round Rock, Texas – will pay $14,286 in back wages to 15 employees after the employer missed payroll, violating the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).   

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers Back Wages for 206 Employees After Investigation of Austin, Texas, Restaurants

AUSTIN, TX – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Controllables Management LLC – owner of five Austin, Texas restaurants – has paid $46,153 to 206 employees for violations of the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).   

September 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Recovers Back Wages For 52 Employees of Blytheville, Arkansas HVAC Company

LITTLE ROCK, AR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), D&L Inc. – a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration company based in Blytheville, Arkansas – has paid $40,371 in back wages to 52 employees working out of its Blytheville, and Darlington, South Carolina, locations for violations of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

September 24, 2020

​​​​​​​U.S. Department of Labor Announces up to $8 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding for Louisiana in Response to Hurricane Laura

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $8,000,000, awarded to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, in response to Hurricane Laura. 

September 24, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces $2.5 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding for Texas in Response to Hurricane Laura

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for $2,500,000 awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, in response to Hurricane Laura. 

September 24, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Reaches Agreement with Salt Lake City Diagnostics Company to Resolve Alleged Hiring Discrimination

SALT LAKE CITY, UTThe U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with BioFire LLC – doing business as BioFire Diagnostics in Salt Lake City, Utah – to resolve allegations that the federal contractor discriminated against applicants for positions at its Salt Lake City facility. 

September 24, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Reaches Agreement with Texas Electronics Company to Resolve Alleged Hiring Discrimination

MANSFIELD, TXThe U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with Mouser Electronics Inc. – an international distributor of semiconductors and electronic components – to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination.

September 24, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Availability of $150 Million To Invest in Workforce Training for Key U.S. Employment Sectors

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today the availability of $150 million in the H-1B One Workforce Grant Program to invest in training for middle- to high-skilled H-1B occupations within key sectors in the U.S. economy, including information technology and cyber security, advanced manufacturing and transportation, to upskill the present workforce and train a new generation of workers to grow the future workforce. 

September 24, 2020

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending September 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 870,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 6,000 from 860,000 to 866,000. The 4-week moving average was 878,250, a decrease of 35,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,500 from 912,000 to 913,500.

Read the full release.

September 23, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Economic Reopening and Apprenticeship Announcement in Greensboro, North Carolina

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina to discuss the economic recovery during the coronavirus pandemic. Secretary Scalia toured Machine Specialties, Inc. and met with company leadership, employees, and apprentices to discuss economic recovery and building a stronger workforce through apprenticeships.

September 23, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces First Group of Standards Recognition Entities for Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs

WASHINGTON, DC – As a critical part of the Administration’s efforts to expand access to in-demand job opportunities, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced that it has recognized an initial 18 organizations as Standards Recognition Entities (SREs) to oversee the development of high-quality Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).

September 22, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes Rule to Clarify Employee and Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposed rule clarifying the definition of employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it relates to independent contractors.

September 21, 2020

Mobile, Alabama, Franchisee Pays Back Wages to Seven Workers After Wrongly Denying Paid Sick Leave Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

MOBILE, AL – The operator of a Smoothie King franchise in Mobile, Alabama, has paid $918 in back wages to seven employees after wrongly denying them emergency paid sick leave. The seven employees took leave while some sought medical diagnosis for suspected coronavirus infection and others followed orders to self-quarantine due to coronavirus exposure at the workplace.

September 21, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Iowa Manufacturer Paying 150 Employees $279,505 in Back Wages

NEW HAMPTON, IA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Precision of New Hampton Inc. – based in New Hampton, Iowa – will pay 150 employees a total of $279,505 in back wages for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 20, 2020

ICYMI: U.S. Department of Labor Acts to Help American Workers and Employers During the Coronavirus Pandemic

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:

September 18, 2020

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on the Death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

September 18, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Eightfold.ai Selected As Grand Prize Recipient of Veteran Employment Challenge

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) has selected Eightfold.ai, a Mountain View, California-based software solution provider, as the grand prize recipient of its competition to build an application to better match transitioning military service members’ skills with employers’ needs.

September 18, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers, Employers and Public To Be Aware of Hazards After Hurricane Sally

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Sally to be aware of hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees and storm debris.