ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has resumed normal enforcement operations in the coastal counties of Alabama and the westernmost portion of the Florida panhandle following Hurricane Sally.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two opinion letters that address compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An opinion letter is an official, written opinion by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) on how a particular law applies in specific circumstances presented by the person or entity that requested the letter.

The opinion letters issued today are:

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) revised the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) it has with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on the coordination functions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Executive Order 11246.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that updates the methodology for determining the annual Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) in the H-2A visa program.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (Department of Labor) and Agriculture (Department of Agriculture) will be joining efforts to put American workers first in a post-coronavirus economic recovery initiative to help more families experience the benefits of work.

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 Detroit, Michigan, where he visited Atlas Tube to meet with company leadership and employees to discuss the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the nation’s continued economic recovery. Secretary Scalia toured the facility at Atlas Tube and spoke with employees, discussing workforce safety and the expansion of manufacturing opportunities.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued respiratory protection guidance focused on protecting workers in nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs) from occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a final rule that updates and clarifies the Department’s investment duties regulation in 29 CFR 2550.404a-1.

WASHINGTON, DC – On Oct. 29, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, where he highlighted President Trump’s continued efforts to safely reopen the economy and strengthen America’s workforce. Secretary Scalia participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce with local business leaders from Missouri and Illinois, discussing the current strong economic rebound and highlighting apprenticeships as a way to build a skilled labor force.

WASHINGTON, DC – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Oct. 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited 144 establishments for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $2,025,431.  

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

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has entered into a conciliation agreement with Becton, Dickinson and Co. – a federal contractor – to resolve allegations of compensation discrimination at the medical technology company’s facilities in Sparks and Hunt Valley, Maryland. While the employer denies OFCCP’s allegations, Becton, Dickinson and Company has agreed to pay $100,000 in back pay and interest to 104 African American female employees.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Le Center, Minnesota, where he joined Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) to highlight safely re-opening America’s economy. Secretary Scalia and the Congressman toured the candy-making company Maud Borup, where they met with employees and company leadership. The Secretary then participated in a roundtable with the Congressman and local Minnesota business leaders.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement regarding the strong economic data released today:

“This morning’s economic news shows sustained momentum and confirms that our nation is bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic faster than predicted. 

In the week ending October 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 751,000, a decrease of 40,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 4,000 from 787,000 to 791,000. The 4-week moving average was 787,750, a decrease of 24,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,000 from 811,250 to 812,250.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $3 million, awarded to Iowa Workforce Development, in response to the severe storms of August 2020. 

MANCHESTER, NH – The U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire has ordered C & C Flooring LLC and owner Christopher Coburn to pay 33 current and former employees a total of $240,000 in back wages and liquidated damages and $10,000 in punitive damages, to resolve violations of the overtime and anti-retaliation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The defendants have also paid a civil money penalty of $13,688 for the willful nature of the violations.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor is providing $1.5 billion in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult and Dislocated Worker program funds to states and territories.

These investments will help states and local areas provide services to businesses and job seekers and support the public workforce system in filling 6.6 million existing job postings.[1]

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on International Religious Freedom Day: