Labor & Employment

OSHA Cites US Steel and MPW for Safety Violations After Explosion

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA has cited United States Steel Corp. and MPW Industrial Services Inc. following an investigation into an August 2025 explosion that killed two workers and injured 12. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $179,687 for serious safety violations related to explosion and hazardous energy control hazards.

Labor Department Cites Contractor for 16 Serious Violations After Fatalities

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA has cited Construction Labor Services Inc. for 16 serious violations following a worksite incident that resulted in two worker fatalities due to exposure to sewage gas. The agency has proposed penalties totaling $257,707.

Labor Recovers Back Wages and Penalties from Denver Restaurant

The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $61,568 in back wages for 11 Denver restaurant workers after an investigation found Tommy's Oriental Food Inc. unlawfully kept employee tips. The employer also paid a $990 civil penalty for Fair Labor Standards Act violations.

Labor Department Orders Texas Companies to Pay $200K+ for Asbestos Whistleblower Retaliation

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA has ordered two Texas construction companies to pay over $200,000 in back wages and damages to two workers fired for raising asbestos concerns. The companies must also reinstate the employees.

WHD Updates Child Labor Penalty Assessment Procedures

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has updated its Field Assistance Bulletin regarding child labor civil money penalty assessments. This update introduces new assessment procedures for non-serious injury and non-injury violations, aiming to ensure consistent and full utilization of the agency's penalty authority.

DOL WHD Guidance on FLSA Independent Contractor Enforcement

The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-1, providing new guidance to its staff on enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regarding independent contractor misclassification. Effective May 1, 2025, WHD will no longer apply the 2024 Rule's analysis and will revert to the standards outlined in Fact Sheet #13 (July 2008) and Opinion Letter FLSA 2019-6.

H-2A Rule Enforcement Suspended Pending Review and Injunctions

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is suspending enforcement of the 2024 Final Rule concerning temporary agricultural employment protections. This action follows multiple federal court injunctions and is effective immediately.

WHD Limits Supervised Payments, No Liquidated Damages

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-3, effective June 27, 2025, rescinding FAB 2021-2. The WHD will no longer supervise the payment of liquidated damages in administrative settlements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), limiting supervised payments to unpaid minimum wages or overtime compensation.

WHD Suspends 2013 Home Care Enforcement Guidance

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-4, suspending enforcement of its 2013 final rule concerning the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) application to domestic service employees. This guidance is effective immediately and will remain in place until a new final rule is issued.

OSHA Cites Horizon Biofuels for Safety Violations After Fatal Explosion

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA has cited Horizon Biofuels Inc. for willful and serious safety violations following a fatal explosion at their Fremont, NE facility. The company faces proposed penalties of $147,542 for issues including combustible dust, ignition source protection, and lack of fall protection.