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.

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.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration today announced the issuance of an Unemployment Insurance Program Letter that provides new guidance to states on identity verification for unemployment insurance claims.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that, beginning April 12, it will open a two-week national online dialogue to gather ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today issued guidance implementing the American Rescue Plan’s Continuation of Health Coverage premium assistance provisions to provide full COBRA premium assistance to certain individuals who have experienced a reduction in hours or involuntary termination of employment.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $725,000 in grants to seven states and territories and the District of Columbia to expand their fidelity bonding programs, which support employers that hire workers considered “at-risk” due to prior involvement in the criminal justice system, as well as those in recovery for substance abuse. These workers often face barriers in their attempts to return to the workforce.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Office of Labor-Management Standards has relaunched the Persuader Reporting Orientation Program, a compliance assistance initiative to inform employers and their representatives about potential reporting obligations under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The PROP initiative was in effect previously from 2011 to 2016.