Labor & Employment

Information Collection Request for Life Insurance Prohibited Transaction Exemption 92-6

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act regarding PTE 92-6, which exempts employee benefit plans from prohibited transaction restrictions when selling individual life insurance or annuity contracts. Public comments on this ICR are invited through May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification of Coarse Coal Refuse Backfill Standards

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification submitted by Kepler Processing Company, LLC regarding 30 CFR 77.214(a) (Refuse Piles; general). The petitioner requests approval to use coarse coal refuse as backfill material for five mine openings at the inactive Road Fork Development Company—Kepler Sewell Mine in West Virginia. Comments are due by May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification - Fan Testing Requirements at Prairie Eagle Underground Mine

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification filed by Knight Hawk Coal, LLC regarding 30 CFR 75.312(c) fan testing requirements. The petitioner seeks to test the automatic fan signal device at Prairie Eagle Underground Mine (MSHA ID No. 11-03147) every 31 days without stopping the fan. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Marfork Coal Company petition to modify permissible equipment standard

MSHA published a notice seeking public comments on a petition for modification filed by Marfork Coal Company, LLC regarding its Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petitioner requests authorization to use a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as an alternative compliance method under 30 CFR 75.507-1(a). Comments on the petition must be received by May 4, 2026.

Mountain Coal Company Modification Petition for Trailing Cable Requirements

MSHA published a notice seeking public comment on a petition for modification from Mountain Coal Company, LLC regarding trailing cable requirements at the West Elk Mine in Colorado. The petitioner requests authorization to use 1,100 feet of No. 2 AWG G-GC trailing cable for shuttle cars and mobile roof bolters operating at 995 volts AC. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Mine Safety Modification Decisions

MSHA published a notice listing petitions for modification of mandatory mine safety standards that were granted between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. The notice covers three granted petitions involving 3M Company (Corona Plant, California) and Mach Mining LLC (Mach #1 Mine, Illinois). The affected regulations include 30 CFR 56.13020 (compressed air) and 30 CFR 75.500(d) and 75.507-1(a) (electrical equipment standards).

Safety Standard Modification Request - Respirable Dust Protection

MSHA published a notice of petition for modification from Marfork Coal Company, LLC requesting approval to use an alternative respirable dust protection method at the Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petitioner seeks to use a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe PAPR motor/battery unit, which currently lacks MSHA permissibility certification. Public comments are invited until May 4, 2026.

Marfork Coal petitions MSHA for safety standard modifications

MSHA published a notice of a petition for modification filed by Marfork Coal Company, LLC requesting a variance from 30 CFR 75.500(d) to permit use of a 3M Versaflow TR-800-HIK Intrinsically Safe Powered Air Purifying Respirator motor/blower and battery at the Glen Alum Tunnel Mine in West Virginia. The petition claims no battery-powered respirators currently meet MSHA permissibility standards for use in potentially explosive underground atmospheres. MSHA is soliciting public comments on the petition by May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification of Safety Standards - Marfork Coal Company

MSHA published a petition filed by Marfork Coal Company requesting modification of existing mandatory safety standards. The petition seeks an alternative method or procedure for compliance with specific safety requirements at a mine operation. The notice opens a 31-day public comment period closing May 4, 2026.

Marfork Coal Company Petition for Safety Standards Modification

The Mine Safety and Health Administration published a petition filed by Marfork Coal Company seeking modification of existing mandatory safety standards. The petition is open for public comment until May 4, 2026. This is a routine administrative filing under MSHA's petition process.

Knight Hawk Coal Petition - MSHA Safety Standards Modification Request

MSHA published a petition from Knight Hawk Coal requesting modification of existing mandatory safety standards under 30 CFR. The petition is open for public comment through May 4, 2026. This is a standard petition process allowing mine operators to request alternative compliance methods when strict standard application would cause undue hardship.

Prohibited Transaction Exemption 1992-6: Sale of Life Insurance by Employee Benefit Plans

The Department of Labor has published a Federal Register notice seeking public comments on information collection requirements related to Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (PTE) 1992-6, which permits employee benefit plans to sell individual life insurance or annuity contracts. The notice is part of the OMB review process required under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments must be submitted by May 4, 2026.

Employee Benefit Plan Claims Procedure Under ERISA - OMB Information Collection Comment Request

The Department of Labor has submitted an information collection request to OMB regarding Employee Benefit Plan Claims Procedure under ERISA. The notice requests public comments on the burden hours and information requirements for ERISA-covered employee benefit plans. Comments are due by May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has published a petition filed by Kepler Processing requesting modification of existing mandatory safety standards. The petition, published on April 3, 2026, seeks alternative means of compliance with current mining safety requirements. MSHA is soliciting public comments on this petition, with the comment period closing on May 4, 2026.

Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards

MSHA published a petition filed by Marfork Coal requesting modification of existing mandatory safety standards applicable to mining operations. The petition seeks to alter how current safety requirements apply to the company's specific mining conditions. MSHA is soliciting public comments on this petition, with the comment period closing on May 4, 2026.

Mountain Coal Company petitions MSHA for safety standards modification

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published a notice that Mountain Coal Company has petitioned for modification of existing mandatory safety standards under 30 CFR. The petition seeks alternative methods of compliance with current safety requirements applicable to mining operations. MSHA is soliciting public comments on the petition, with the comment period closing 31 days after publication.

Affirmative Decisions on MSHA Modification Petitions Granted

MSHA published a notice announcing affirmative decisions on petitions for modification submitted by mining operations. The decisions grant modifications to existing safety standards for specific mine sites. This is a routine administrative action with no new compliance requirements imposed on the mining industry.

Three Michigan Organizations Receive Grants for Employee Transportation Programs

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) awarded $60,000 in grant funding to three businesses through the Reliable Rides Incentive Grant Pilot Program. Each of the three selected grantees received $20,000 to develop and implement custom transportation programs for their workforce. The recipients are Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church of Flint (partnering with NorthGate), LM Manufacturing of Detroit, and Manthei Wood Products of Petoskey. The program aims to address transportation barriers that limit employment access and improve workforce retention, productivity, and stability for Michigan workers.

Women in Michigan Workforce Report - Pay Gaps and Childcare Barriers

The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics and LEO published the 2026 Women in the Michigan Workforce report documenting that women now represent nearly half of the state's labor force while earning approximately 79 cents for every dollar earned by men, down from 82 cents in 2023. Median earnings for full-time women workers rose 2.8% to $52,390 in 2024, but men's earnings grew faster at 5.9% to $66,130. The report identifies structural barriers including childcare access, occupational segregation, and pay inequities particularly acute in healthcare and social assistance where women earn only 68 cents per dollar.

Iowa Awards $250,000 in Summer Youth Internship Grants to Nine Organizations

Iowa Workforce Development announced $250,000 in grant awards under the 2026 Summer Youth Internship Program, distributing funds to nine organizations across Iowa to serve approximately 200 youth in high-demand career pathways. Award amounts ranged from $18,000 (Genesis Youth Foundation) to $38,000 (Geater Machining and Manufacturing), with recipients spanning healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, and human services sectors. Grant funds may be used for participant wages, training resources, program supplies, and administrative costs.

Idaho DOL Economists to Analyze Post-Pandemic Census Data at April 7 Webinar

The Idaho Department of Labor announced an April 7, 2026 webinar where economists Brandon Duong and Seth Harrington will analyze the first full post-pandemic sample of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) data for Idaho counties. The webinar runs from 11 a.m. to noon MT over Zoom and covers trends in migration, housing, and work-from-home patterns. The Idaho DOL project is funded by a U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Information grant (41%) plus state/nonfederal funds (59%) totaling $860,595 for SFY26.

Georgia Unemployment 3.5%, Record Labor Force and Employment Highs

The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia's unemployment rate held steady at 3.5% in January 2026, 0.8 percentage points below the national rate. The state's labor force reached an all-time high of 5,445,612, and employment hit a record 5,252,878. Sectors reaching all-time highs were construction (237,500 jobs) and health care and social assistance (636,000 jobs).

OMFS Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Fee Adjustments

The Division of Workers' Compensation has posted an order adjusting the Pathology and Clinical Laboratory section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule to conform to Medicare calendar year 2026 quarter 2 updates, as required by Labor Code section 5307.1. The Administrative Director update order is effective for services rendered on or after April 1, 2026. Healthcare providers, insurers, and claims administrators in California's workers' compensation system should update billing systems and reimbursement rates accordingly.

Wisconsin Fast Forward Worker Training Grants Open, $1M Available

Wisconsin employers across all industries may apply for approximately $1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) grants administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Grants range from $5,000 to $400,000 or higher for consortium applicants and reimburse costs for customized occupational training for unemployed, underemployed, and existing workers. Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. CST on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Wisconsin January 2026 Unemployment Rate Ticks Up to 3.3%

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released January 2026 preliminary employment estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up over December to 3.3%, which is 1.0 percentage points below the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Wisconsin had 3,017,400 people employed, 3,032,500 total nonfarm jobs, and a labor force participation rate of 64.3%. This is a routine statistical release with no compliance obligations or regulatory requirements.

WRC Dismisses Discrimination Claim Against Tots Creche

The Workplace Relations Commission Adjudication Officer dismissed a discrimination complaint brought by Rebecca Swords against Tots Creche under the Employment Equality Acts. The complainant alleged discrimination on gender and family status grounds following difficulties securing a childcare place upon returning from maternity leave, which she said prevented her from resuming work. The respondent denied all allegations and provided evidence of alternative arrangements offered. The Adjudication Officer found the complainant failed to establish prima facie discrimination under Section 85A(1) of the Acts.

Montana Releases 2024 Workplace Injury and Illness Statistics Report

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry released the 2024 Montana Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Report covering the state's private industry sector. In 2024, Montana businesses reported 13,200 OSHA-recordable nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses with an overall incidence rate of 3.4 cases per 100 full-time workers, a slight decrease from 13,600 cases in 2023 while the incidence rate remained unchanged. Industries with higher incidence rates included retail trade (4.6), manufacturing (4.6), and transportation and warehousing (4.5), while lower rates were recorded in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (1.6), utilities (1.2), and finance and insurance (0.5). The data was collected through the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, a nationwide program conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics in partnership with state agencies.

BHG Stone and Director Fined After Worker Falls Through Stairwell

BHG (Stone) Limited and its director Alistair Howells were sentenced at Telford Magistrates Court on 1 April 2026 after a 26-year-old labourer fell approximately 4 metres through an unprotected stairwell opening on 5 December 2023, sustaining fractures to his skull and back. The HSE investigation found that work at height was not properly planned or controlled, with no suitable measures to prevent falls. The company was fined £16,000 plus £4,000 costs for breaches of Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The director was fined £2,000 plus £1,386 costs under Section 37 of the same Act.

Revoli Construction Cited $4.6M After Fatal Yarmouth Trench Cave-in

The U.S. Department of Labor has cited Massachusetts-based Revoli Construction Co. Inc. with seven willful, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations for exposing workers to safety hazards in a trench collapse at a Yarmouth worksite on Nov. 18, 2025. One worker was engulfed and sustained fatal injuries while another was seriously injured during the incident, in which employees were removing sandy soil and installing steel plates outside of a trench without adequate cave-in protection. The agency assessed $4,699,362 in proposed penalties for failures including lack of safe exit routes, unsupported underground utilities, spoil piles within two feet of the excavation, and missing shoring systems.

Fiduciary Duty of Prudence for 401(k) Alternative Asset Investments

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration issued a proposed rule (RIN 1210-AC38) to clarify fiduciary duties under ERISA Section 404 regarding the selection of designated investment alternatives for participant-directed 401(k) plans, including asset allocation funds with alternative assets. The proposal implements Executive Order 14330 and provides a safe harbor to reduce regulatory burden and litigation risk for plan fiduciaries. Public comments are due June 1, 2026.

Updated Enforcement Policy for Recording and Reporting of COVID-19 Cases

OSHA has updated its enforcement policy for COVID-19 recording and reporting, effective March 31, 2026, stating it will exercise enforcement discretion to not cite employers for violations of 29 CFR Part 1904 related to COVID-19 case recording or fatality/hospitalization reporting. This policy aligns COVID-19 treatment with common cold and flu exceptions under 29 CFR 1904.5(b)(2)(viii), since the public health emergency ended May 11, 2023 and COVID-19 is now managed like seasonal flu. The memorandum supersedes the prior February 5, 2025 enforcement stay memorandum.

Massachusetts Contractor Fined $4.6M for Fatal Trench Collapse

OSHA has cited Massachusetts-based water and sewer line construction contractor Revoli Construction Co. Inc. with 7 willful, 33 repeat, and 17 serious violations following a November 18, 2025 trench collapse at a Yarmouth worksite that claimed the life of one employee and seriously injured another. The agency assessed $4,699,362 in proposed penalties for failures including lack of cave-in protection, failure to provide safe exit routes, unsupported underground utilities, and spoil piles within two feet of the excavation. The employer has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Proposed PTE 84-14 Exemption for Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

EBSA published a notice of proposed prohibited transaction exemption under PTE 84-14 for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., seeking relief from ERISA prohibited transaction rules for certain investment management transactions. The exemption, if granted, would be in effect for five years from June 9, 2026 through June 8, 2031. The public comment period closes 30 days from publication.

Workforce Momentum: Navigating the Road to Economic Growth

The South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation announced a free online Workforce Knowledge Series session titled "Workforce Momentum: Navigating the Road to Economic Growth" on April 9, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. CDT via Microsoft Teams. Cornerstones Career Learning Center representatives will present on how investing in employees builds loyalty, efficiency, and long-term growth, with registration required at tinyurl.com/wks-april-2026. The session runs 30-45 minutes and is part of DLR's ongoing initiative to share expertise on employment topics including workforce recruitment and retention.

Meet-the-Employer Event with Department of Corrections

The Rapid City Job Service office, part of the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, is hosting a meet-the-employer event with the South Dakota Department of Corrections on April 8, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MDT at the Rapid City Job Service office. Job seekers will have the opportunity to connect directly with DOC representatives and Bureau of Human Resources staff, learn about open positions at the new Rapid City Correctional Facility, apply for positions, and possibly participate in an initial interview on-site. Resume and cover letter assistance is available by calling 605-773-3372 before the event.

Hiring Event for Various Positions in Boise

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus, 11351 W. Chinden Blvd., Building 6 Conference Room in Boise. Multiple employers will attend including Ada County Sheriff's Office, Addus HomeCare, Autovol, Boise State University, Idaho Power, Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke's Boise Medical Center, and Treasure Valley YMCA. Open positions include 911 communications dispatchers, registered nurses, CNC machinists, security control specialists, forklift operators, safety coordinators, home care aides, and senior contracting specialists. Attending a job seeker event counts as one weekly work search action for unemployment insurance purposes.

Mobile PA CareerLink Unit Launches in North Central Pennsylvania

The Shapiro Administration launched the third mobile PA CareerLink unit in Pennsylvania on April 1, 2026, to provide workforce and career-readiness services across six north central counties: Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter. The mobile unit, staffed with workforce professionals and hosted by Workforce Solutions for North Central PA, will begin scheduling appointments in mid-April. The initiative is funded through federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Adult funding and builds on Pennsylvania's nearly 50 percent increase in CTE and apprenticeship funding over three years, rising from $118 million to $183 million.

EEOC v. BestBet Jacksonville - Pregnant Worker Fairness Act Violation

The EEOC filed a lawsuit against BestBet Jacksonville alleging the casino violated the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act by failing to provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant worker. This represents one of the first enforcement actions brought under the PWFA since its 2023 enactment, signaling the agency's commitment to protecting pregnant workers' rights in the workplace.

EEOC Sues Exel Inc. for Disability Discrimination

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a federal lawsuit against Exel Inc., an international logistics company, alleging disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, back pay, and compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of charging parties and other affected employees.

Butterball Sued for ADA Accommodation Denial and Retaliation

The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Butterball, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina alleging the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide reasonable accommodation to an employee with a disability and wrongfully terminating that employee in retaliation. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief for the affected employee. This enforcement action highlights the EEOC's continued focus on disability discrimination in employment and employer obligations under the ADA's reasonable accommodation and anti-retaliation provisions.

Bassetlaw District Council Fined £50,000 After Worker Seriously Injured in Ride-on Mower Incident

Bassetlaw District Council was fined £50,000 at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 30 March 2026 after an employee fell approximately 2.3 metres from a retaining wall while operating a ride-on mower at a churchyard. HSE's investigation found the council had failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment for slope work and had not provided adequate training to employees on operating machinery near slopes and banks. The council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, was ordered to pay £5,138.85 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge, and was found to be highly culpable by the Judge.

West Virginia Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Against Inmates' Rights

Michael Pack, a former corrections officer at Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy against inmates' rights under 18 U.S.C. § 371. Pack admitted that he and co-conspirators would strike, assault, and harm inmates in 'blind spots'—areas of the jail not captured by surveillance cameras—to avoid accountability, and would prepare false reports denying their unreasonable uses of force. Pack faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, with sentencing scheduled for July 24 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn.

Justice Department Sues Idaho for Failure to Produce Voter Rolls

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Idaho for failing to produce full voter registration lists upon request. This action brings the Department's nationwide enforcement total to 30 states and the District of Columbia. The lawsuit invokes the Attorney General's authority under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to request, inspect, and analyze statewide voter registration lists for verification purposes.

Kitchen Porter v Restaurant - Constructive Dismissal Claim

A WRC Adjudication Officer issued a recommendation in a constructive dismissal case brought by a kitchen porter against a restaurant employer. The worker, who lacked 12 months' service to bring an unfair dismissals claim, submitted her complaint under the Industrial Relations Act 1969 seeking compensation. The case examined the employer's handling of a working time dispute, subsequent disciplinary proceedings, and the worker's resignation in February 2025 following allegations of insubordination. Employers should ensure disciplinary meetings allow workers to be accompanied and that working time interpretations comply with Section 12 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

Oregon Unemployment Rate 5.2% in January 2026

Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2% in January 2026, compared to 5.3% in December 2025, while the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in January. Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 2,000 jobs in January, following a revised gain of 100 jobs in December. The largest job gains were in leisure and hospitality (+1,800), health care and social assistance (+1,500), and construction (+1,000), while the largest losses were in manufacturing (-1,500) and professional and business services (-1,300).

TÜV SÜD Product Services Voluntary NRTL Termination

OSHA announced the voluntary termination of TÜV SÜD Product Services GmbH's (TUVPSG) recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), effective March 5, 2026. TUVPSG notified OSHA on May 22, 2025, that it would not seek renewal of its recognition expiring March 5, 2026, and transferred existing certifications to TÜV SÜD America, Inc.

Fargo Workforce Center Releases Business Services Newsletter

Fargo Workforce Center published its Business Services Quarterly Newsletter on March 31, 2026, recapping the FM Spring Job Fair, a Virtual Job Fair, and an inspirational New American success story. The edition also announced the retirement of Executive Director Pat Bertagnolli and listed upcoming recruiting event dates and registration information.

HSE Inspectors Checking Asbestos Management During Awareness Week

HSE marks Global Asbestos Awareness Week (1–7 April 2026) with unannounced inspections targeting dutyholders who fail to manage asbestos risks, highlighting three common pitfalls inspectors encounter and referencing a recent prosecution where a site manager received a suspended prison sentence, five-year director disqualification, and curfew, and two companies were fined a combined £88,300 plus over £9,000 in costs. The regulator sets out four mandatory steps all dutyholders must take: arrange an asbestos survey, create a register and assess the risk, write an asbestos management plan, and put the plan into action with ongoing monitoring.

TÜV SÜD Product Services GmbH Voluntary NRTL Termination

OSHA published a notice announcing that TÜV SÜD Product Services GmbH voluntarily terminated its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), effective March 5, 2026. The company notified OSHA on May 22, 2025, that it would not seek renewal of its recognition expiring March 5, 2026. Existing certifications were transferred to TÜV SÜD America, Inc.

Consultation on Gig Worker Safety Under Model WHS Act

Safe Work Australia published a consultation paper on 1 April 2026 seeking feedback on how work health and safety duties apply to crowd platform arrangements under the Model WHS Act. The paper distinguishes crowd platforms (workers bid for tasks selected by clients) from on-demand platforms (algorithmic task assignment) and identifies gaps where crowd platform workers may not receive equivalent WHS protections. Potential regulatory options under consideration include introducing new duties specifically for crowd platform operators.