Please note: As of January 20, 2023, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
News Release
U.S. Department of Labor Takes Action to Help American Workers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s recent actions have aided American workers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.
“Through daily technical assistance, four major guidance documents, answers to frequently asked questions, and proactive IT support related to the CARES Act, the department has given states a roadmap of how to get financial relief into the hands of American workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration John Pallasch. “After investing half a billion dollars to improve states’ unemployment delivery systems, with more to come, we will see hundreds of billions of dollars flow to the temporarily unemployed when they need it most.”
“For months, OSHA has been informing employers what they need to do to keep employees safe from COVID-19,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Loren Sweatt. “The documents OSHA has released offer guidance for protecting workers, provide clarity for OSHA enforcement, including requirements for personal protective equipment, and reminds employers that they cannot retaliate against workers who report hazardous conditions. And, where we need to, OSHA will take enforcement action to make sure American’s workers are protected.”
“With millions of Americans eligible for new and expanded leave programs, the Wage and Hour Division is working tirelessly to answer the public’s questions and conduct outreach to groups and individuals so that employers across the country provide employees with the benefits they need during the coronavirus outbreak,” said Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division Cheryl Stanton. “WHD has taken hundreds of complaints and is working to resolve them as soon as possible.”
The below list includes links to access these important resources.
- Statement by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia at the White House Task Force Briefing
- Statement by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on Unemployment Insurance Claims
- U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Guidance on Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation
- U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Guidance on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
- U.S. Department of Labor Publishes Latest Guidance Regarding Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program
- U.S. Department Of Labor Announces New CARES Act Guidance on Unemployment Insurance for States in Response to COVID-19 Crisis
- U.S. Department of Labor Publishes New OSHA Poster Aimed At Reducing Workplace Exposure to the Coronavirus
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Alert to Keep Package Delivery Workers Safe during COVID-19 Pandemic
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Enforcement Guidance For Recording Cases of COVID-19
- U.S. Department of Labor Expands Temporary Guidance for Respirator Fit-Testing to All Industries during COVID-19 Pandemic
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Alert to Keep Retail Workers Safe During Coronavirus Pandemic
- U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers That They Cannot Retaliate Against Workers Reporting Unsafe Conditions During Coronavirus Pandemic
- U.S. Department Of Labor Issues Guidance for Respirators Certified under Other Countries’ Standards During COVID-19 Pandemic
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance for Respiratory Protection During N95 Shortage Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
- U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Additional Guidance Following Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Implementation
- U.S. Department Of Labor Announces New Paid Sick Leave And Expanded Family and Medical Leave Implementation
- U.S. Department Of Labor Adds To Guidance for Workers and Employers Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Benefits Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes More Guidance for Workers and Employers Explaining Paid Sick Leave, Expanded Family and Medical Leave Benefits
- U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Additional Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave And Expanded Family and Medical Leave Under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits under the CARES Act, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employees, and carrying out the mission of the Department.
The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
