Private sector jobs increased by 344,000 in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Notable job gains occurred in transportation and warehousing (+145,000), professional and business services (+60,000), and healthcare (+46,000).

Two new opinion letters provide compliance assistance regarding the regular rate of pay of workers paid on a piece-rate basis and whether insect farming qualifies as agriculture under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The unemployment rate dropped again in November to 6.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since the economy began to reopen, the unemployment has declined by 8.0%.

Nearly $3 million in grants to combat the employment effects of the opioid crisis were awarded this week. Minnesota received $2.1 million to train displaced workers and provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services, and Florida received $833,333 to provide disaster-relief jobs.

Between Nov. 20 and Nov. 26, OSHA issued citations for coronavirus-related violations arising from 11 inspections. In total, 255 inspections have led to coronavirus-related citations totaling $3,403,139.

• Release: A Southern California manufacturer will pay back wages and restore sick leave to dozens of workers who received lower wages while taking coronavirus-related sick leave.
• Release: A Georgia car dealership has paid $7,888 in back wages to an employee wrongly denied paid family leave.
• Release: A housing company in Georgia has paid $3,920 in back wages after the employer wrongly denied paid leave to an employee.
• Release: A Texas excavation company has paid $1,680 in back wages after denying paid sick leave to an employee who was instructed to self-quarantine.

An online dialogue invites the public to share ideas for ending labor trafficking through Dec. 14 at EndTrafficking.IdeaScale.com.

A restaurant with establishments in the District of Columbia and Virginia has agreed to pay $848,006 in back wages and damages to 209 workers to resolve Fair Labor Standards Act violations.

A California trucking company has paid $90,508 to 16 workers to resolve overtime violations.

Computer manufacturer Lenovo agreed to pay an employee $108,152 in back wages for Family and Medical Leave Act violations.

A Colorado military subcontractor has paid $108,002 in back wages after Department investigators found prevailing wage violations at Nevada work sites.

Wage and Hour Division investigations have recovered $172,264 in overtime back wages for 127 peanut industry workers in New Mexico and Texas.

AT&T will pay $173,000 and provide other non-monetary relief to resolve alleged pay disparities between male and female employees in California and Nevada.

The unemployment rate dropped again in November to 6.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since the economy began to reopen, the unemployment has declined by 8.0%.

As American businesses prepare for an unusual holiday season, the Department has tips and resources for employers and workers.