U.S. Department of Labor

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Initial claims were 223,000 for the week ending 1/18 (+6,000). Insured unemployment was 1,899,000 for the week ending 1/11 (+46,000). https://lnkd.in/gcGh-G4

Today we honor and remember the two miners who lost their lives in the Aracoma Mine fire in 2006 and reflect on the lasting impact this tragedy had on their families and the mining community. Their memory reminds us that prioritizing safety and prevention in every part of the mining industry is essential to workplace safety. We will continue to advocate for safer practices and better protections for all workers.

We’re honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose leadership and vision transformed the fight for civil rights and inspired movements for justice and equality worldwide. Dr. King’s work reminds us that creating a more equitable society requires courage, collaboration and a belief in the dignity of every individual. His dream of a fairer, more inclusive world inspires us to keep pushing for progress in every community and workplace. #MLKDay

Our mission is simple. If you need help with an issue at work, call us at 1-866-487-2365 or visit dol.gov/general/contact.

❄️ How cold is too cold? Get tips on protecting outdoor workers in the winter: https://bit.ly/3OEtq5H

To overcome structural barriers such as violence and poverty that keep many young people from access to employment and reaching their potential, we've awarded $46.5 million in grants to support programs that address the impacts of community violence and help justice-involved young people succeed in the labor market. The Growth Opportunities program focuses on helping young people in communities plagued by violence by supporting local organizations that provide participants with jobs, training and other supportive services, such as leadership development, mentoring and conflict resolution. https://lnkd.in/eheQgQXZ

Two Arizona drywall and painting companies must pay $7,450,000 in back wages and damages after our investigators found they willfully denied overtime pay to more than 1,400 employees. Our investigators found Apodaca Wall Systems Inc. and Empire Wall Systems Inc. attempted to evade payment of overtime wages by paying hourly employees with multiple checks at straight-time rates for all hours worked. They also used labor brokers to hire hourly workers who were paid in cash at straight time even when they worked over 40 hours in a workweek. In addition to the payment of $3,725,000 in overtime back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages, the companies must pay $125,000 in penalties. Current and former employees should call 602-407-5323 to find out if they are owed back wages.

Our Wage and Hour Division found that two south Louisiana companion care providers - We Care Homes Inc. and Special Needs Unlimited LLC - misclassified 158 employees as independent contractors. We recovered $844,274 in overtime back wages and damages. The division protects workers regardless of where they are from and can communicate with workers and employers confidentially in more than 200 languages at 1-866-4-US-WAGE (487-9243).

We’ve approved up to $10 million – with $1 million released initially – in emergency grant funding to California to support disaster-relief jobs and training services for those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.

We're making $17 million in grant funding available to support organizations working to help homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness by providing training and employment services. The Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program seeks to reduce and prevent veterans’ homelessness by assisting them in overcoming obstacles and successfully reentering the workforce. While veteran homelessness has reached an all-time low nationwide since measurement began in 2009, down more than 55% since 2010, further progress must be made. HVRP grants will provide each recipient up to $500,000 annually for up to $1.5 million over a three-year period. Award recipients will be chosen to deliver workplace skills training, support participation in Registered Apprenticeship programs or other types of on-the-job training and supply employment placement assistance.