WASHINGTON – On Sept. 14, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor will host, “Advancing Compliance Solutions for Today’s Workplace, Two Years and Counting,” a summit showcasing the Department’s ongoing efforts to help employers comply with federal labor laws and inform workers about their rights through its modernized tools and employer recognition awards programs. The event will be both virtual and in-person.

Hosted by the Department’s Office of Compliance Initiatives – established in August 2018 – the event will feature conversations with high-ranking Departmental personnel on the Department’s voluntary compliance assistance and award programs, including the Wage and Hour Division’s (WHD) Payroll Audit Independent Determination program, the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service’s HIRE Vets Medallion Award program, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ (OFCCP) Excellence in Disability Inclusion Award.

The summit will also highlight the Department’s innovative and modernized compliance assistance tools in a conversation with panelists from the Office of Disability Employment Policy, OFCCP and WHD.

Solicitor of Labor Kate O’Scannlain will deliver opening remarks. Deputy Assistant Secretaries for Policy Jonathan Wolfson and Alison Kilmartin will lead panel discussions. Remarks and panel discussions will be livestreamed at dol.gov/summit.

Following a one-hour break, participants will be able to interact with an agency of their choice during virtual breakout sessions.

WHAT:          Advancing Compliance Solutions for Today’s Workplace, Two Years and Counting

WHERE:       dol.gov/summit

WHEN:          Monday, Sept. 14, 2020

Remarks and panels:              10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EDT

Virtual breakout sessions:      1:30-2:30 p.m. EDT

Find a full schedule of the program and register to participate in a breakout session at dol.gov/summit.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Grafton and Bridgeport, West Virginia, to discuss mine safety, economic recovery and the importance of the coal mining industry to the American economy.

During his stop in Grafton, Secretary Scalia toured the Leer Mine Complex operated by Arch Resources Inc. Secretary Scalia joined miners hundreds of feet below the surface, where they showcased the mine’s day-to-day operations. He also visited with company leadership and employees to discuss safety and health during the coronavirus pandemic and economic recovery.

Secretary Scalia then traveled to Bridgeport, where he visited a local Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) office and met with employees to discuss MSHA’s work.

“The mining industry plays a central role in our economic growth and the success of American manufacturing, which is why the Department is determined to ensure that miners can go about their work safely,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “As we recover from the pandemic, the mining industry will continue to be an important source of jobs and resources. I thank David Zatezalo, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, for joining me and carrying out MSHA’s mission to protect America’s miners.”

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement to commemorate Labor Day:

“Today we celebrate and thank the workers of America, whose hard work, determination, and ingenuity have built and sustain our amazing country.  

“This has been a year of extraordinary challenges for American workers, and a year of extraordinary achievements, as workers in our hospitals, farms, plants, and factories have supported one another and the nation. 

“Last Friday’s jobs report reflected some of the fruits of those efforts, with 1.4 million jobs added to the economy and the unemployment rate dropping to 8.4 percent. The Department of Labor remains focused on helping millions more Americans return to work safely, and to providing continued support to those who remain unemployed.” 

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:

• Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the August Jobs Report – “Today’s jobs report is encouraging news for American workers heading into Labor Day. The report significantly beat expectations, with the unemployment rate dropping to 8.4 percent even as more Americans entered the labor force. Unemployment fell across all demographics, and the 1.4 million jobs added showed increases across most industry sectors. This follows a string of other reports showing a strong recovery underway. The Administration remains focused on returning millions more Americans to work, and providing additional support to the unemployed through the Lost Wages Assistance Program authorized by the President when Congress failed to act on enhanced unemployment benefits.” Secretary Scalia also joined Fox News, Fox Business and CNN to discuss the report.

• U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia Highlights USMCA and Economic Recovery in Michigan and Illinois – Secretary Scalia traveled to Zeeland, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois, to discuss economic recovery and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s (USMCA) recent entry into force.

• U.S. Department of Labor Awards $13.5 Million in Dislocated Worker Grants in Response to Coronavirus Public Health Emergency – The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of two Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) totaling $13,500,000 to help address the workforce-related impacts of the public health emergency related to the coronavirus. These awards are funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided $345 million for DWGs to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus.

• U.S. Department of Labor Provides $100 Million to States To Combat Unemployment Insurance Fraud – The U.S. Department of Labor announced $100 million in funding to support state efforts to combat fraud and recover improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance program, including those programs created under the CARES Act.

Defending Workers’ Rights to Paid Leave and Wages Earned:

• U.S. Department of Labor Offers Webinar for Ohio Employers – The Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration presented a webinar for Ohio area employers and human resources professionals on the paid leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and safety guidance for returning to work and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on protecting the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employers, and carrying out the mission of the Department.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., the U.S. Department of Labor will release the Hall of Honor induction ceremony for the “Rosies.” During World War II, these women riveted, welded and did so much more on the home front to help the nation win the war.

The name “Rosie” came from Rosalind Walter, who went to work in a Corsair factory in 1942. Rosie became a household name due to the famous, archetypical depictions of Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell in the Saturday Evening Post and due to J. Howard Miller’s famous “We Can Do It!” poster commissioned by Westinghouse. The Rosies played an instrumental role in winning World War II.

“I am proud to announce that the Department of Labor will honor and celebrate the ‘Rosies,’ women who helped our nation win World War II and changed the way our country thinks about women in the workplace,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “By inducting the ‘Rosies’ into the U.S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor, we recognize the contributions they made and the changes they inspired.”

“It is fitting to honor such a special group of women during the Women’s Bureau’s centennial celebration,” said Women’s Bureau Director Laurie Todd-Smith. “During one of the darkest points in world history, while millions of our citizens enlisted into military service, the ‘Rosies’ made sure that the industrial production of the United States properly supplied the armed services and our allies, and in turn helped defeat the Axis Powers. Through their commitment to hard work, these women also made it clear that women could do the jobs that were often reserved for men, setting a lasting example for future generations of women workers.”

While millions of men deployed to the front lines, the Rosies maintained American war production by manufacturing the planes, ships, tanks, arms and munitions required to defeat the Axis powers in both the European and Pacific theaters. American production would not have been able to keep up with the needs of the war effort had these women not elected to work in factories that had typically employed male workers. Additionally, many women also assumed essential jobs as first responders such as firefighters.

It is estimated that between 5 and 7 million women held war industry jobs during World War II, increasing the female work force to about 19 million. This permitted American industry to transform to war production rapidly, supplying not just our armed forces, but also the armed forces of the Allied powers.

The Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor was established in 1988 to honor Americans whose distinctive contributions have elevated working conditions, wages and overall quality of life for American families.

To learn more about the Women’s Bureau and their 100th Anniversary celebration visit: www.dol.gov/wb.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia issued the following statement on the August 2020 Employment Situation Report:

“Today’s jobs report is encouraging news for American workers heading into Labor Day. The report significantly beat expectations, with the unemployment rate dropping to 8.4 percent even as more Americans entered the labor force. Unemployment fell across all demographics, and the 1.4 million jobs added showed increases across most industry sectors. This follows a string of other reports showing a strong recovery underway. The Administration remains focused on returning millions more Americans to work, and providing additional support to the unemployed through the Lost Wages Assistance Program authorized by the President when Congress failed to act on enhanced unemployment benefits.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Zeeland, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois to discuss economic recovery and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s (USMCA) recent entry into force. 

During his stop in Michigan, Secretary Scalia, joined by Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02), toured Gentex Corporation, a manufacturer of electronic parts for the automotive and aerospace industries, and met with company leadership and employees to discuss the benefits of USMCA on the industry. Following the tour, the Secretary and Congressman Huizenga participated in a roundtable with local business leaders on economic recovery.

Secretary Scalia then traveled to Chicago, Illinois where he joined the Illinois Policy Institute for a discussion on economic recovery and visited Nucor Tubular Products, a leading steel pipe manufacturer, to hear from employees and tour the facility.

“The USMCA is a win for American workers and our economy, and an historic bipartisan achievement for President Trump,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “By promoting growth in manufacturing, agriculture, and other sectors, the agreement will play a key role in powering our economy out of the job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. I’d like to thank Gentex Corporation and Nucor, two of many American companies that will benefit from the USMCA, for hosting me today.”

“It was great to have Secretary Scalia come to Zeeland to see firsthand the high quality products that are made at Gentex. There is an important story to be told about the USMCA and how it will strengthen our economy and create new opportunities for manufacturers here in Michigan,” said Congressman Huizenga. “I appreciate the Secretary taking the time to listen and engage with a variety of West Michigan leaders to gain a better understanding of what makes ‘Made in Michigan’ manufacturing so unique.”

The USMCA will create as many as 500,000 or more jobs for workers during a time when many Americans have been forced out of work due to the coronavirus.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

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:

• U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia Highlights Economic Recovery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he highlighted the nation’s continuing economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

• Statement by Secretary Scalia on the Lost Wages Assistance Program – “President Trump has used every authority in his power to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Following his Presidential Memorandum, the Department of Labor quickly released important guidance to guide States as they implement the Lost Wages Assistance program, and the Department is working closely with our partners at FEMA to ensure States have the resources they need to continue supporting Americans temporarily out of work. I’m encouraged that these States moved quickly to implement benefits, and we are working with more States to help them provide continued benefits to Americans in need. We also appreciate that some States have determined that their strong re-opening and recovery removes the need for continued supplemental benefits.”

• U.S. Department of Labor Issues Additional Guidance for States on Lost Wages Assistance Program – The U.S. Department of Labor issued additional guidance to address questions raised by states about the Lost Wages Assistance program authorized by the Presidential Memorandum, Authorizing the Other Needs Assistance Program for Major Disaster Declarations Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019, issued on August 8, 2020.

Keeping America’s Workers Safe:

• U.S. Department of Labor and FDA Develop Checklist to Protect Food Industry Employees Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Food and Drug Administration have developed a checklist for human and animal food manufacturers to consider when continuing, resuming, or reevaluating operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Defending Workers’ Rights to Paid Leave and Wages Earned:

• Florida Trucking Company Pays Back Wages to Two Employees After Denying Paid Sick Leave Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act – After an investigation by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), a freight shipping and trucking company based in Hialeah, Florida has paid $3,110 in back wages to two employees for wrongly denying them emergency paid sick leave while they sought medical diagnosis for suspected coronavirus infection. Once their tests returned positive, the employer again denied the two employees’ requests for emergency paid sick leave. WHD investigators found that denials violated Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). After WHD contacted the company, the employer agreed to pay the back wages found due, grant the paid sick leave, and comply with the FFCRA’s requirements in the future.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on protecting the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employers, and carrying out the mission of the Department.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced publication of its “Promoting Regulatory Openness through Good Guidance Rule” (PRO Good Guidance Rule). The rule, which implements Executive Order 13891, “Promoting the Rule of Law through Improved Agency Guidance Documents,” seeks to create fairer procedures for the issuance and use of regulatory guidance at the Department of Labor. 

The PRO Good Guidance Rule, in accord with the order, requires that the Department use guidance appropriately, transparently, and in a manner that is accessible to the public. The rule accomplishes this in four key ways:

• By providing that, for significant guidance involving impacts greater than $100 million, the Department will provide for notice-and-comment review of the guidance;
• By requiring all Department guidance to be made available to the public in a searchable database at www.dol.gov/guidance;
• By allowing the public to petition the Department on issues related to its guidance; and
• By limiting the Department’s use of guidance to avoid potentially unfair conduct.

“Following the President’s direction, the U.S. Department of Labor undertook a comprehensive, nine-month assessment to ensure that American workers and businesses have fair notice of their rights and obligations under the law,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella. “The Department is proud to unveil the results of its months of hard work – recognizing that these are just the first steps toward a more transparent government.”

In addition to these substantive requirements, pursuant to the Executive Order and this rule, the Department undertook a comprehensive review of its own guidance, rescinding nearly 3,200 documents. The remaining documents are all available in a searchable database at dol.gov/guidance.

Guidance documents can be invaluable when used properly. Guidance should provide clarity about existing rights and obligations and help stakeholders comply with laws and regulations. However, guidance cannot be used to create new obligations and cannot modify the law. The PRO Good Guidance Rule allows the Department to continue to use guidance for lawful purposes, but ensures that guidance documents cannot be used in an unfair or unlawful manner.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he highlighted the nation’s continuing economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Secretary Scalia first toured the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, where he participated in a roundtable discussion and met with young people transitioning back into the workforce. Secretary Scalia also visited the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center to meet with students and staff. Finally, the Secretary joined the Marcellus Shale Coalition leadership and members to speak at the Coalition’s quarterly meeting about the economic re-opening and the Department’s programs to help skilled workers return to the workplace.

“I was pleased to visit and learn more today about the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh’s work to help men and women re-enter the workforce after serving their time in the criminal justice system,” said U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia. “For Americans leaving the justice system, mastering a new skill or trade can make all the difference in gaining stable, long-term employment.”

Secretary Scalia continued, “I was also pleased to visit with members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition to discuss the importance of a strong American energy sector and the steps needed to help American workers develop the skills needed to succeed in the energy field and beyond.”

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.