Labor & Employment

Michigan Seeks $30M for Residents' Work Requirements Under H.R. 1

Michigan state officials are advocating for $30 million in FY27 funding to help residents comply with new federal work requirements under H.R. 1. The funding would allocate $25 million to workforce training through Michigan Works! agencies and $5 million to Registered Apprenticeships. Michigan officials report a 16,783% increase in SNAP referrals for employment services comparing Q1 FY25 to Q1 FY26, with approximately 800,000 residents expected to be affected by the expanded requirements across SNAP, Medicaid, and unemployment programs.

Whitmer Awards $4M Apprenticeship Grants for 606 Michiganders

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) awarded $4 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion grant funding to 13 workforce development partners. The funding will benefit 606 Michiganders through earn-as-you-learn Registered Apprenticeship programs across advanced manufacturing, supply chain, educational services, health and human services, and information technology sectors. Recipients include Michigan Works! regional consortia and the Workforce Development Institute, which received the largest allocation of $996,600 to serve 151 apprentices.

Governor Rhoden Proclaims National Apprenticeship Week, Apr 26

Governor Larry Rhoden proclaimed April 26 - May 2, 2026 as National Apprenticeship Week in South Dakota, recognizing the role registered apprenticeships play in workforce development. In February 2026, the Governor signed Senate Bill 63 into law, establishing the State Office of Apprenticeship and designating South Dakota as a State Apprenticeship Agency, bringing oversight of registered apprenticeship programs closer to employers and workers.

Drive-Thru Hiring Event, Yankton, Apr 28

Yankton Job Service will host a Drive-Thru Hiring Event on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 4-5:30 p.m. CDT at the Riverfront Broadcasting parking lot, 1019 Broadway Ave. in Yankton, S.D. Job seekers can drive through to pick up packets featuring local employers, job openings, and additional resources. Businesses interested in participating can register by emailing Laura Marshall at workforce@yanktonsd.com or by calling 605-665-3636, ext. 103.

IDOL Reaches Agreement with Allied Universal Security Services to Resolve Wage Claims

The Illinois Department of Labor entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Allied Universal Security Services to resolve wage claims under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. The agreement resolves 25 claims totaling approximately $20,000. Allied Universal will pay a $37,000 penalty to the Wage Theft Enforcement Fund and must comply with enhanced monitoring and reporting requirements for a two-year period, including maintaining an employee hotline for wage-related concerns, posting required workplace notices, and submitting periodic reports to IDOL.

Williamson County Equalization Factor Set at 1.0165

The Illinois Department of Revenue announced the 2025 tentative property assessment equalization factor for Williamson County at 1.0165, down from 1.0874 the prior year, based on sales data from 2022, 2023, and 2024. Assessments are at 32.79% of market value against the statutory one-third requirement, and the tentative multiplier may change if the County Board of Review takes significant action or if local officials present supporting data. A public hearing will be held 20 to 30 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the county.

CT Loses 4,200 Jobs, Unemployment Rises to 4.7%

The Connecticut Department of Labor reported that the state lost 4,200 jobs in February 2026, reversing the job gains recorded in January. The state's unemployment rate rose to 4.7%. This is a routine statistical release on statewide labor market conditions with no compliance obligations for employers or regulated entities.

Adult Skills Fund Devolved Grant Determination Letters 2026 to 2027

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued grant determination letters to 13 Strategic Authorities in England confirming Adult Skills Fund (ASF) and Free Courses for Jobs funding for the 2026 to 2027 financial year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027). The letters cover ASF grant payments, Skills Bootcamps payments, and Free Courses for Jobs funding, all transferred under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003.

Move to Universal Credit Statistics, July 2022 to March 2026

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the release of official statistics covering managed migration notices sent to individuals invited to claim Universal Credit. The statistics, covering the period July 2022 to end March 2026, are scheduled for release on 12 May 2026 at 9:30am. This is a routine statistical announcement providing data on welfare benefit transition notices and does not create any new compliance obligations.

Emma Douglas Appointed Chair of The Pensions Regulator

Emma Douglas has been appointed Chair of The Pensions Regulator (TPR) for a five-year term commencing 1 July 2026, succeeding interim Chair Kirstin Baker. Douglas brings over 25 years of experience in investment management and pensions, having served as Wealth Policy Director at AVIVA and Chair of Pensions UK. Her appointment coincides with what the government describes as the most significant transformation of the UK pensions landscape in a generation.

Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission Proposes E-bike Rule Change

The Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission is proposing to amend its administrative rules to add e-bikes with a maximum speed of 20 mph to the list of specialty vehicles exempt from commission rules. Written comments will be accepted from April 19, 2026, through May 19, 2026, at the Commission's office in Little Rock or via email. If adopted, e-bikes meeting the speed threshold would no longer fall under the commission's regulatory purview.

Arkansas Motor Vehicle Dealer Licensing Proposed Rule

The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing proposes amendments to 23 CAR § 410-501 governing new motor vehicle dealer licensing, requiring dealers to submit signed contracts with manufacturers or distributors specifying line-makes and facility compliance. The rule substantially expands the specialty vehicle exemption list to include garbage trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, limousines, hearses, wheeled trolleys, wreckers, kit vehicles, slow-speed motorized vehicles, farm and construction implements, golf carts, lawnmowers, airplanes, trains, motorized skateboards, Segways, and electric bikes meeting specific speed thresholds. Affected parties may comment on the proposed rulemaking.

Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission Proposes E-Bike Exemption Rule Amendment

The Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission proposes amending its rules to add electric bicycles with a maximum speed of 20 mph to the list of specialty vehicles exempt from commission regulations. The amendment would exclude qualifying e-bikes from existing motor vehicle dealer licensing and operational requirements. Public comment opportunities and a final effective date have not been specified in the summary document.

New Motor Vehicle Dealer Licensing Requirements Arkansas

The Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission proposes amendments to dealer licensing requirements under 23 CAR § 410-501, mandating that new motor vehicle dealers submit signed contracts with manufacturers or distributors specifying line-make display rights and facility compliance standards. The proposal substantially expands the specialty vehicle exemption list to include electric bikes classified as Class/Type 1 or Class/Type 2 with top-rated speeds of 20 mph or less, motorized skateboards, and low-speed scooters, among other categories. Dealers with vehicles newly removed from specialty vehicle status receive a 30-day grace period following the effective date of any amendment to either obtain dealer licensure or dispose of affected inventory.

CA CRD Opposes HUD Mixed-Status Housing Proposal

The California Civil Rights Department submitted a formal comment letter opposing HUD's proposed rule change that would deny federal housing assistance to families living with a family member ineligible due to immigration status. The proposal threatens approximately 7,190 mixed-eligibility households in California with termination from HUD programs, placing roughly 28,670 Californians at risk of eviction or family separation. CA CRD calls on HUD to withdraw the proposed change, citing intentional discrimination against recipients based on national origin and disparate impact on Latino families.

Juan Serratos Named Director of Paid Leave Oregon

The Oregon Employment Department has appointed Juan Serratos as the new Director of Paid Leave Oregon, effective April 13, 2026. Serratos had been serving as interim director since July 2025 and brings over 17 years of public service experience, having previously directed the Unemployment Insurance Benefits Services section since 2019. Paid Leave Oregon, launched in 2023, served approximately 103,000 people and their families in 2025 and paid more than $783 million in benefits, making it a cornerstone of Oregon's worker and family support system.

Juan Serratos Named Director of Paid Leave Oregon

The Oregon Employment Department has named Juan Serratos as the new Director of Paid Leave Oregon, effective immediately. Serratos previously served as acting director since July 2025 and joined the program as deputy director in January 2022. In 2025, the program served 103,000 people and their families and paid out more than $783 million in benefits.

OSHA Revokes House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard

OSHA has finalized the revocation of 29 CFR 1917.41, the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard, effective April 17, 2026. The standard, originally adopted in 1983 to protect workers from hazards associated with house falls equipment used in cargo loading and unloading, is being removed because OSHA has no record of any citations for violations and the marine terminals industry no longer employs house falls as cargo has become largely containerized. This is a deregulatory action under Executive Order 14192.

OSHA DOE Addendum: Regulatory Authority Transfer at Nuclear Sites

OSHA published a notice of an addendum to the 1992 interagency MOU between DOL and DOE, confirming the transfer of occupational safety and health regulatory authority for specific parcels of DOE-owned land leased to private entities for energy projects. DOE will not exercise statutory authority over occupational safety at the identified Project Parcels. The transfer takes effect April 17, 2026. Private-sector employers at the Idaho National Laboratory site fall under federal OSHA jurisdiction; employers at Hanford (Washington), Nevada National Security Site, and Savannah River (South Carolina) fall under their respective OSHA-approved State Plans.

Commission Meeting Schedule with Agendas and Minutes

The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission publishes its annual commission meeting schedule, including agendas and meeting minutes, on its public website. The schedule document is available for download as a PDF. There are no new regulatory requirements, compliance obligations, or enforcement actions contained in this notice.

Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission News Listing

The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission news page lists eight recent announcements dated from December 2025 through April 2026. Key items include a workers' compensation fraud scheme alert (April 17), a call for presenters for the 2026 VWC Educational Conference (March 31), recognition as a 2026 Top Workplace (March 30), updated commission forms (February 5), Commissioner Robert A. Rapaport's reappointment (January 27), commission judiciary member recognition (January 16), a mileage reimbursement rate increase (January 13), and a new website refresh (December 17).

Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission Overview

The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission (VWC) is a state agency operating since 1918 under three appointed Commissioners, with 13 departments organized under Administration and Judicial divisions. VWC administers the Virginia Victims Fund (Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund), the Uninsured Employer's Fund, and adjudicates claims under the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. Leadership includes Chairman Wesley G. Marshall, Commissioner R. Ferrell Newman, and Commissioner Robert A. Rapaport, with Chief Deputy Commissioner James Szablewicz overseeing the Judicial Division and Executive Director Evelyn V. McGill managing daily operations.

Miscellaneous Case Processing Procedures Rulemaking Public Comment Period

CA PERB has opened a 15-day public comment period for the Miscellaneous Case Processing Procedures rulemaking package. The comment period runs from March 23, 2026 through April 8, 2026. Interested parties may submit comments through PERB's rulemaking webpage, where additional information on submission procedures is available.

Ten-Day Period to Apply for TNC Driver Organization Designation Begins April 21, 2026

CA PERB has officially noticed the application periods for 2026 under the Transportation Network Company Drivers Labor Relations Act. The next 10-day filing period runs from April 21 to April 30, 2026, during which an entity may apply for designation or renewal as a TNC driver organization. Applications must be filed with PERB through the public portal using the fillable PDF form available on the PERB website.

Board Meeting Agenda – April 9, 2026, 10:00 AM, Sacramento

CA PERB has published the agenda for its regular business meeting scheduled for April 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at 1031 18th Street, Room 103, Sacramento, CA, with virtual attendance options via Zoom or teleconference. The agenda includes staff reports from five divisions, two old business items (accommodation regulations rulemaking and miscellaneous case processing procedures), and recognition of General Counsel Felix De La Torre. The Board will recess to closed session following the open meeting to deliberate on pending cases, personnel matters, and litigation through June 11, 2026.

German Unemployment Falls 49,000 to 3,021,000, Rate 6.4% in March 2026

Germany's unemployment fell by 49,000 in March 2026 to 3,021,000, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declining 0.1 percentage points to 6.4%, roughly matching the year-prior level. Short-time work (Kurzarbeit) notifications covered 38,000 persons for March, while 136,000 employees received statutory short-time work benefits in January 2026 — 141,000 fewer than the prior year. Citizens' benefit (Bürgergeld) recipients numbered 3.82 million, down 147,000 year-on-year, representing 7.0% of the working-age population.

German Jobcenters Issue 461,400 Benefit Reductions, 25% Rise

Die Jobcenter haben im Jahr 2025 rund 461.400 Leistungsminderungen ausgesprochen, was einem Anstieg von 25 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahr entspricht. Die durchschnittliche Minderung lag 2025 bei 8,3 Prozent der Leistung bzw. 66 Euro. Die aktuellen Regelungen sind noch bis Ende Juni 2026 gültig, am 1. Juli treten mit der Reform des Bürgergelds hin zum Grundsicherungsgeld neue Regelungen in Kraft.

Girls' Day and Boys' Day 2026 Career Orientation Event

The Bundesagentur für Arbeit announces the 2026 Girls' Day and Boys' Day nationwide career orientation event scheduled for April 23, 2026. The event aims to break stereotypical career choices by encouraging Jungen to explore social and educational professions and Mädchen to explore technical and trade professions. Statistics cited show that four out of five employees in nursing are women, while more than 80 percent of employees in STEM professions are men. Companies nationwide will open their doors for on-site trial internships to attract future skilled workers.

Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter Resignation Effective June 30, 2026

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission announces that Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW will resign effective June 30, 2026. Lassiter joined PHRC in 2018 and during his tenure the commission passed regulations expanding definitions of race, sex, and religious creed, established social justice initiatives including the No Hate in Our State town halls and Social Justice Lecture Series, created a Civil Rights Outreach Division and Rural and Civic Engagement Division, and passed the CROWN Act. Joel Bolstein, former Commission Chair, praised Lassiter's leadership, calling him irreplaceable and a servant leader who gave the job his heart and soul.

MSPB Press Releases Index

The US Merit Systems Protection Board maintains a public index page for press releases and news. The index page structure shows columns for document name, title, and date, but contains no actual press release entries. This is a navigational placeholder page with no substantive regulatory content.

Delaware DHR Career Fair Scheduled for April 24 at Delaware Technical Community College

The Delaware Department of Human Resources announced its second statewide career fair of 2026, scheduled for April 24 at Delaware Technical Community College. The event is part of an ongoing state hiring initiative. Delaware Technical Community College is listed as the host venue for the career fair.

Tyco Electronics UK Limited Fined £340,000 After Worker Hand Injury, Swindon

Tyco Electronics UK Limited was fined £340,000 and ordered to pay £5,145 in costs at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 17 April 2026 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The prosecution arose from an incident on 7 March 2023 at the company's Swindon site, where a 42-year-old worker suffered serious injury while cleaning a pellet-manufacturing machine: his hand was trapped and crushed by a hydraulic ram, requiring three operations, ten days in hospital, and resulting in ongoing loss of sensation and movement in his fingers. An HSE investigation found the company failed to implement safe isolation and lock-off procedures before cleaning work, and that employee training and supervision were inadequate.

Workforce Information Grants to States Information Collection OMB Review

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has submitted a Paperwork Reduction Act information collection request to OMB for the Workforce Information Grants to States (WIGS) program. The collection supports WIOA requirements, including state economic analyses, workforce information studies, and annual performance reports. OMB invites public comments on or before May 20, 2026.

DOL Modifies Eight Privacy Act Systems Adding Treasury Disclosure Routine Uses

The Department of Labor is modifying eight Privacy Act Systems of Records under the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB Circular No. A-108. The modifications add a new routine use permitting disclosure of records to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for fraud prevention through the Do Not Pay Working System, and add two OMB M-17-12 model routine uses for breach response. Public comments are due May 21, 2026.

DOL Modifies Eight Privacy Act Systems With Treasury Disclosure and Breach Routine Uses

The Department of Labor is modifying eight Privacy Act Systems of Records to add two categories of routine uses. First, in compliance with Executive Order 14249 and OMB Memorandum M-25-32, DOL is adding a routine use permitting disclosure of records to the Department of the Treasury for review through the Do Not Pay Working System to identify, prevent, or recoup improper payments. Second, DOL is adding two model routine uses from OMB Memorandum M-17-12 to permit disclosure in response to a breach of personally identifiable information.

Idaho February Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 3.7%

Idaho's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.7% between January and February 2026, with the labor force declining slightly by 1,683 people to 1,008,136. Total nonfarm jobs decreased by 2,800 to 875,900, with the largest sector losses in Administrative, Support and Waste Management Services (-2.3%) and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-2.1%). Nationally, the unemployment rate rose from 4.3% to 4.4%, with total nonfarm payroll employment decreasing by 133,000 to 158.5 million.

WA Unemployment Rate Increased to 5.0% in January 2026

Washington's unemployment rate rose to 5.0% in January 2026 from 4.9% in December 2025, as employers added an estimated 2,800 jobs (seasonally adjusted). Employment Security paid unemployment benefits to 85,534 claimants in January, an increase of 6,664 from the previous month. The state's labor force was 4,065,178, with 204,366 unemployed persons statewide.

County Unemployment Data for January 2026 Released

The Washington State Employment Security Department released county-level unemployment rates and employment data for January 2026. Specific data was highlighted for Chelan County (5.7% unemployment) and Douglas County (6.4% unemployment), with comments from Regional Labor Economist Mike McBride noting these rates are similar to the same period last year. The department noted that county-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted due to small sample sizes in some counties and should not be compared directly to the seasonally adjusted statewide rate.

Washington Unemployment Rate Increased to 5.1% in February 2026

Washington's economy added an estimated 700 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in February 2026, and the unemployment rate rose to 5.1%, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase. From February 2025 to February 2026, the number of jobs increased by 14,300 – a 0.4% increase. The national unemployment rate increased from 4.3% to 4.4% during the same period.

DOL VETS News Releases Filtered by Agency 2024-2026

This is a filtered index page from the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service aggregating 13+ news releases spanning January 2024 through January 2026. Key announcements include the HIRE Vets Medallion Awards recognizing 888 employers in 2025 and 800+ employers in 2024; over $160 million in total grant funding for homeless and at-risk veterans ($57M in June 2024, $23M new and $37M continued grants in June 2025, $23M in January 2026); $17M in funding announced January 2025; and program expansions including the Veterans Accommodations Toolkit for disabled veterans and the Transition Assistance Program with new ENPP partners.

NYSIF FEIN Update for Workers' Compensation and Disability Benefits

NYSIF has updated its Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) from a prior number to 13-3098552, effective July 2024. All employers, insurers, third-party administrators, and service providers doing business with NYSIF for workers' compensation or disability benefits must update their records to reflect the new FEIN on all payments and correspondence to or from NYSIF.

NYSIF DB Premium Rate Decreases 28% to $17.68, Long COVID Resources, Mobile App

The NYSIF homepage announces a 28% disability benefit premium rate decrease for 2026, with the rate reduced from $24.75 to $17.68 annually per employee while maintaining the $60.00 minimum premium. New resources include a Long COVID info sheet for employers and the NYSIF Policy Mobile App providing real-time policy access, notifications, bill payment, and certificate management. NYSIF provides workers' compensation, disability, and paid family leave coverage to approximately 2 million workers across 200,000 employers in New York State.

Fall Hazards Virtual Webinar, May 4, 2026

HIOSH announced a one-hour virtual Fall Hazards awareness webinar scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM HST. The session will be delivered via Microsoft Teams with no recording capability. Registration is required in advance with attendance limited to 50 participants per session to maintain reliable internet connectivity. The webinar covers fundamental workplace fall risks, relevant safety regulations, and practical prevention steps employers can implement.

Struck-By Hazards Virtual Webinar, April 2, 2026

HI OSHA is hosting a one-hour virtual awareness session on struck-by hazards on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 9–10 AM HST. The webinar covers common workplace struck-by scenarios, relevant safety regulations, and practical steps employers can take to reduce incidents. Registration is required and limited to 50 attendees; no recording will be available, and slide decks will be emailed to registrants afterward.

Longtime PHRC Commissioner Dr. Raquel Yiengst Resigns After 48 Years of Service

Dr. Raquel Yiengst, Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and Chair of the Education Equity Committee, resigned on April 14, 2026, following more than four decades of service to the Commonwealth. Appointed to the PHRC in 1978, Dr. Yiengst was one of the Commission's longest-serving members and received the PHRC Homer C. Floyd Award in 2019. With her departure, the PHRC will have five seated commissioners out of a possible eleven, creating potential quorum issues that could delay the advancement of specific guidance, case hearings, and justice delivery.

PHRC Recognizes Fair Housing Month with Statewide Events and Educational Initiatives

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission announced its celebration of Fair Housing Month throughout April 2026, featuring a schedule of 11 events including training sessions, workshops, and the 2026 Housing Equality Conference. Events target housing professionals, advocates, and community members with topics covering fair housing rights, reasonable accommodations, and housing discrimination prevention under the Fair Housing Act and Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

PHRC Announces Resignation of Commission Chair Joel Bolstein

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission announced the resignation of Chair Joel Bolstein, effective April 9, 2026, after 27 years of service including 7 years as chair since 2016. With Bolstein's departure, the commission will have six seated commissioners out of a possible eleven, raising the possibility of quorum insufficiency that could delay case hearings and pending guidance such as the Personal Care Assistant Accommodation guidance. The PHRC staff will continue investigating cases despite the leadership transition.

African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission Public Hearing - Chicago

The State of Illinois African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission will convene a public hearing on April 25, 2026, at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST. The hearing will address reparative justice for Black Illinoisans descended from American Slavery, centering on the Commission's 'Taking Account harms' report released in February 2026, which documents economic, social, mental, and physical harms across housing, education, health, public safety, and economic opportunity.

Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Departure Commemoration May 9-10

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources invites visitors to the sixth annual Point of Departure Commemoration at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, Illinois, on May 9-10, 2026, marking the 222nd anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition departure. The free event will feature military reenactors, historic artisans demonstrating candle making, leatherworking, tanning, gunsmithing, spinning, blacksmithing and woodworking, and a special Education Day on May 8 with over 550 students from nine school districts across Illinois and Missouri. The site, which interprets the Corps of Discovery's winter encampment from December 1803 to May 1804, is open daily during summer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Illinois Awards $970,770 for Lake Michigan Shoreline Protection

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program has awarded $970,770 in grants to eight Illinois organizations for coastal education, recreation, water quality monitoring, planning, and engineering projects along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Recipients include the American Indian Center ($105,428.55), Chicago Park District ($30,079), Current Innovation Inc. ($173,376), Friends of the Forest Preserves ($155,769.32), Lake County Forest Preserve District ($84,037.92), Lake Forest Open Lands Association ($134,626.98), Navy Pier ($165,000), and OAI Inc. ($122,452.54). The program is a federal-state partnership between IDNR and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration providing federal funding to communities in the Illinois coastal region.