The United States Department of Labor (DOL) is a federal agency responsible for ensuring the welfare of the workforce in the United States. Its mission is to foster, promote, and develop the well-being of wage earners, job seekers, and retirees across the country.
New U.S. Department of Labor Nominations
President Trump announced the new Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination on November 22, 2024, noting that he looks forward to “working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand training and apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our manufacturing jobs.” Chavez-DeRemer has over two decades of public service under her belt, beginning in 2002 on the Happy Valley Parks Committee in Oregon. She was then elected to the US House of Representatives in 2022, serving on the House committees on Agriculture; Education and the Workforce; and Transportation and Infrastructure.
The new Deputy Secretary of Labor is Keith Sonderling, who was confirmed by the Senate on March 12, 2025. Before his nomination, Sonderling served as a former EEOC Commissioner and the acting and deputy administrator of the DOL’s wage and hour division.
EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND OFCCP
The Department plays a crucial role in ensuring federal contractors and subcontractors comply with labor standards, enforcing laws like the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis-Bacon Act, and Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA), and ensuring fair employment practices.
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) ensures that federal contractors and subcontractors comply with equal employment opportunity and affirmative action requirements, including the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Many agency webpages, including several DOL pages, have gone through major changes over the last few months. The OFCCP website specifically showcased a page featuring EO 14173 “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.”
This week, JD Supra reported once deactivated OFCCP webpages are back in working order, no longer leading viewers to the “Page Not Found” errors that were all too common on federal agency websites. Including but not limited to:
key functions and responsibilities of the DOL
Here are seven key functions of the DOL.
1. Workplace Safety and Health
The DOL is committed to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for employees. This is primarily achieved through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards.
2. Wage and Hour Standards
The department enforces federal labor laws concerning workers’ rights to fair wages and work hours. This includes the administration of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards.
3. Unemployment Insurance
The DOL oversees the federal unemployment insurance program, providing temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
4. Job Training and Employment Services
Through programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the department provides resources, training, and support to help individuals acquire the skills needed for employment and career advancement.
5. Workers’ Compensation
The DOL administers workers’ compensation programs, offering financial assistance and medical care to workers who are injured on the job or suffer from work-related illnesses.
6. Veterans’ Employment and Training
The department ensures that veterans receive the necessary support for a seamless transition to civilian employment. This includes job training programs and employment services tailored to veterans’ needs.
7. Labor Statistics
Through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the DOL collects, analyzes, and disseminates essential economic information to support public and private decision-making. This includes data on employment, wages, productivity, and other critical labor market metrics.
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