September 6, 2022

US Department of Labor reminds recovery, clean-up, rebuild employers, workers: worker protections, employer responsibilities cannot be uprooted

ATLANTA – When severe storms, dangerous weather and other natural calamities strike, the U.S. Department of Labor urges workers and employers who clear debris, repair homes or provide other kinds of disaster recovery to use resources provided by the department’s Wage and Hour Division to understand federal worker protections for wages, hours worked and pay practices.

September 6, 2022

US Department of Labor sues former Albany restaurant owner, operator to end retaliation against workers who filed wage lawsuit

ALBANY, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against the former owner of an Albany restaurant after he allegedly tried to intimidate three workers and prevent them from participating in a private class action lawsuit, thus depriving them of their full rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

September 6, 2022

US Department of Labor, industry leaders, stakeholders call on employers, workers to combat surge in construction worker suicides

 

WASHINGTON – Construction workers often face some of their industry’s most serious dangers – such as falls from elevation, being struck or crushed by equipment or other objects, and electrocution – but recent studies suggest another occupational concern is lurking silently at U.S. worksites: worker suicides.

September 6, 2022

US Department of Labor spotlights employer readiness, new resources, rights of workers during Disaster Preparedness Month

BOSTON – With menacing weather and severe storms a danger in late summer and fall, the U.S.

September 6, 2022

To kick off Natural Disaster Preparedness Month the US Department of Labor reminds workers of federal labor law protections, employers about responsibilities amidst the peak of storm season

DALLAS – With hazardous weather and storms a feature of the season, the U.S. Department of Labor urges workers and employers who clear debris, repair homes or perform other types of disaster recovery to become familiar with federal laws governing wages, hours of work and pay practices. The failure to pay wages as due harms employees, and violations of federal labor law can be costly for employers.

September 6, 2022

US Labor Department investigation finds child labor violations at 3 Dunkin’ locations in Pennsylvania, affecting 39 minors

HERSHEY, PA – A federal investigation found that a Dunkin’ franchisee violated child labor laws when it allowed 14-and-15-year-olds to work outside permissible hours at three locations in Dauphin and Lebanon counties.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division determined that franchisee Akshar Ashish LLC, operating as Dunkin' and headquartered in Hershey, permitted 14-and-15-year-old employees to:

September 6, 2022

US Department of Labor will hold hearing on proposed amendment to the Qualified Professional Asset Manager Exemption

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced that it will hold an online public hearing on the proposed amendment to its Class Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-14, also known as the Qualified Professional Asset Manager Exemption. The department is also extending the public comment period for the proposed amendment for an additional 15 days, through Oct.

September 6, 2022

Ohio auto parts manufacturer cited for 10 federal safety violations after workers battle 13 fires in 2 years in plastic molding plant

CLAYTON, OH – A Clayton company was cited for exposing workers to fires and failing to train them on initial stage fire identification and use of fire extinguishers after federal safety investigators received a referral from a local fire department that responded to 13 fires at the auto parts manufacturer in a two-year period.

September 2, 2022

US Department of Labor sues former hospital CEO who failed to forward plan contributions, caused cancellation of employees’ health insurance

WILLIAMSON, WV – The U.S. Department of Labor has taken legal action after an investigation by its Employee Benefits Security Administration found the former CEO of a West Virginia hospital, who was a fiduciary of the company’s healthcare plan, failed to forward contributions to the plan. This led to the plan’s cancellation and left participating employees with a significant number of unpaid claims – and without health coverage.

September 2, 2022

“They said America’s workers didn’t want to work”: a Labor Day statement by US Secretary of Labor Walsh

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on Labor Day 2022:

“On Labor Day we honor the achievements of America’s workers, and in 2022 we have a historic victory to celebrate. Our nation’s working people have come all the way back from the depths of a global pandemic, regaining every job lost and more.

September 2, 2022

US Department of Labor announces availability of $10M in funding for project to support state-level labor courts in Mexico

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a funding opportunity availability of up to $10 million to support the work of the local, state-level labor courts created by Mexico’s 2019 labor law reform. The project will focus on strengthening the capacity of the courts to adjudicate labor cases, particularly those related to freedom of association, collective bargaining and other fundamental labor rights.

September 2, 2022

Statement by US Secretary of Labor Walsh on August Jobs Report

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the August 2022 Employment Situation Report:

September 2, 2022

US Department of Labor updates Interpretive Bulletin on independence requirement for accountants auditing employee benefit plans

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced the release of Interpretive Bulletin 2022-01 updating its guidance on the “independence” requirement for accountants who audit employee benefit plans under section 103(a)(3)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. 

September 2, 2022

US Department of Labor recovers more than $90K in overtime back wages for 14 Austin-area pizzeria workers; finds child labor violations

Employer name:                   Yaghi Enterprises, Inc. operating as Yaghi’s New York Pizzeria

Investigation sites:                12400 Hwy. 71 West, Suite 510, Austin

                                                           4220 W. William Cannon Drive, Suite 120, Austin

                                                             920 N. Vista Ridge Blvd., Suite 550, Cedar Park

September 1, 2022

Federal mine safety commission finds Indiana coal company violated safety standards after mine operator causes risk of catastrophic explosion

WASHINGTON – The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission has ruled unanimously that the operator of a Francisco, Indiana coal mine violated mandatory safety standards when it continued to operate an energized drill during a methane inundation, creating the risk of a catastrophic explosion.

September 1, 2022

First Lady, Secretary Walsh, Secretary Raimondo join first group of Apprenticeship Ambassadors at White House to kick-off workforce development effort

WASHINGTON – Dr. Jill Biden welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and U.S.

September 1, 2022

South Carolina Burger King franchisee to make enterprise-wide changes after US Department of Labor finds child labor violations at 9 restaurants

LEXINGTON, SC A U.S. Department of Labor investigation that found child labor violations at nine Burger King franchise locations in the Columbia area has prompted the restaurants’ operator to enter into a compliance agreement and change the way it operates to improve working conditions for minor-aged workers at all current and future locations of this brand.

September 1, 2022

US Department of Labor inducts essential workers of the coronavirus pandemic into Labor Hall of Honor

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today inducted the essential workers of the coronavirus pandemic into the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor in recognition of their sacrifices and continuous efforts to support America’s communities through the pandemic.

September 1, 2022

US Department of Labor agreement requires Eurofins to pay $77K to resolve alleged hiring discrimination at facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

LANCASTER, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into a conciliation agreement with Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Environment LLC to resolve alleged hiring discrimination against Asian job applicants at the federal contractor’s Lancaster facility.