Labor & Employment

Labor Recovers $1.08M for Workers Denied Minimum Wage and Overtime

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has recovered $1.08 million in back wages and damages for 24 warehouse workers. The settlement with Expresso Forwarding Inc. resolves violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, including failure to pay minimum wage and overtime.

Cal/OSHA Advises Employers on Heat Illness Prevention

Cal/OSHA has issued an advisory urging employers to prevent heat illness as high temperatures are expected across California. The notice reminds employers of their legal obligations under existing Heat Illness Prevention Standards for both indoor and outdoor workplaces.

Texas Workforce Commission Wins National Reemployment Award

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) received the 2025 Full Employment Award from the American Institute for Full Employment for its Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program. The award recognizes TWC's innovative use of AI-powered job readiness tools and personalized coaching to help unemployment insurance claimants return to work faster.

Hartford Man Sentenced for Fraudulently Collecting Benefits

Ricardo Santiago was sentenced to 57 months in prison for fraudulently collecting over $316,000 in Social Security benefits, over $36,000 in unemployment benefits, and over $18,000 in food stamp benefits. He was also ordered to pay $371,686 in restitution.

Labor Dept Recovers $293K Back Wages for Construction Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $293,698 in back wages for 56 construction workers from Speedy's Framing LLC for overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The company also paid a $24,795 civil penalty.

Labor Department Issues Apprenticeship Guidance

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has issued new guidance to streamline the Registered Apprenticeship system, reduce burdens for program sponsors, and improve transparency. The guidance aims to accelerate growth and clarify program design, roles, and completion rates, with a commitment to 30-day registration determinations.

DWC Draft ADA Accommodation Regulations for Public Comment

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has released draft regulations concerning ADA accommodations for public comment. The proposals include a process for blanket accommodation requests for remote appearances and a new form for filing disability discrimination complaints.

HSE Reminds Employers of Health and Safety Duties for Home Workers

The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding employers that they have the same health and safety duties for home workers as for office-based staff. The guidance highlights key risk areas such as stress, mental health, and display screen equipment, and emphasizes that these responsibilities are legal duties, not optional.

Two companies and site manager prosecuted for asbestos disturbance

Two companies, Sohan Group Limited and Maize Metals Limited, and a site manager, Ali Raza Baig, have been prosecuted by the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for large-scale asbestos disturbance at a demolition site. Fines totaling over £88,000 were issued, and the site manager received a suspended prison sentence and director disqualification.

Florida Awards $9M for Workforce and Infrastructure Development

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis awarded over $9 million in grants for workforce and infrastructure development. The funding will support a new Commercial Driver's License training facility in Bradford County and roadway construction for an industrial site in Nassau County. Nassau County was also designated a Rural Area of Opportunity.