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 – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released work-related injury and illness data electronically submitted by employers. The agency has posted Form 300A data for calendar years 2016, 2017 and 2018, as well as a data dictionary.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its intent to award two $10 million grants focused on Mexico. Funding for these grants was appropriated as part of the legislation implementing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

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.

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

HIALEAH, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Roepnack Corp. – a construction contractor based in Miami Beach, Florida – has paid $124,075 in back wages and fringe benefits to 20 employees, for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA).

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is currently engaged in an education and compliance assistance initiative to help employers in the Southeast understand their obligations to employees during natural disaster recovery efforts.

In the week ending August 29, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 881,000, a decrease of 130,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 5,000 from 1,006,000 to 1,011,000. The 4-week moving average was 991,750, a decrease of 77,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,250 from 1,068,000 to 1,069,250.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor has appointed 12 new members to the Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced the disbursement of $646 million in Employment Service Grants to improve the functioning of the nation’s labor markets by providing labor exchange services to all job seekers and helping businesses to meet their hiring needs by referring qualified workers.

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

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Laura 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 Zeeland, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois to discuss economic recovery and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s (USMCA) recent entry into force. 

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today 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.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $100 million in funding to support state efforts to combat fraud and recover improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, including those programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Miami, Florida-based dialysis service companies – Olympus Healthcare Inc., Apollo Renal Center LLC, and Americare Renal Center LLC – will pay $110,819 in back wages to 34 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

COLUMBUS, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will present a webinar for Ohio area employers and human resources professionals on the paid leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and safety guidance for returning to work and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today made available a proposed rule that would address the application of the prudence and exclusive purpose duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) with respect to proxy voting and exercises of other shareholder rights. The proposed rule amends the Department’s longstanding “Investment duties” regulation at 29 CFR 2550.404a-1.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced four new 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.