Record Unemployment Lows

The unemployment rate remained at the 50-year low level of 3.5% in December. This is the 22nd consecutive month of the unemployment rate being at or below 4%. U-6, the broadest measure of unemployment and underemployment, set a record low. In addition, the U-4 and U-5 unemployment rates were at record lows.

New Opinion Letter

Three new wage and hour opinion letters offer employers compliance assistance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.

#ADA30

The U.S. Department of Labor announced plans for a yearlong celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, including events and new compliance assistance resources.

Welcome Aboard

John Lowry III was sworn in this week as the new Assistant Secretary of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service.

In Case You Missed It

Fighting Trafficking

Our Comply Chain app helps businesses develop social compliance systems to combat human trafficking and other labor abuses in their product supply chains.

Flexibility for States

A final rule published January 3 will allow states greater flexibility in providing employment outreach activities and services under the Wagner-Peyser Act.

Fraud Sentence

A federal court sentenced a California sleep centers operator to 27 months in prison for healthcare plan fraud, and ordered him to restore $2,970,817.

Visa Settlement

Department attorneys obtained a favorable settlement against a beauty products distributor for H-1B visa program violations.

Wages Recovered

A Department investigation recovered $541,597 in back wages for 80 workers with disabilities at Alabama facilities.

Smelting Hazards

OSHA has cited an Illinois smelter and fined the company $223,148 for exposing workers to lead, arsenic and other hazards.

Stat of the Week

Wage Growth for Production and Non-Supervisory Employees

Year-over-year wage growth for production and non-supervisory employees was 3.0% in December, marking the 17th consecutive month at or above 3.0%.

Compliance Assistance Highlight

Overtime Pay Rule

The U.S. Department of Labors final rule making 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay took effect on January 1, 2020. Find out what you need to know about the rule, including guidance and compliance assistance resources for employers.