Frequently Asked Questions - United States Department of Labor (2024)

Question: What are employers' responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)?

Answer:

Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA further requires that employers have to try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than just relying on masks, gloves, ear plugs or other types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Switching to safer chemicals, enclosing processes to trap harmful fumes, or using ventilation systems to clean the air are examples of effective ways to get rid of or minimize risks.

More information is available at: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/employer-responsibility.html.

Frequently Asked Questions - United States Department of Labor (2024)

FAQs

What are the main issues it is concerned with Department of Labor? ›

The Department of Labor (DOL) administers federal labor laws to guarantee workers' rights to fair, safe, and healthy working conditions, including minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, protection against employment discrimination, and unemployment insurance.

What are three responsibilities of the United States Department of Labor? ›

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.

What happens when you file a complaint with the US Department of Labor? ›

A BOFE representative will review the report to determine whether to investigate the employer. If BOFE starts an investigation, it may inspect the worksite, issue citations for violations, work with the employer to correct the problem, and collect any unpaid wages owed to workers.

What are the most important labor laws in the US? ›

Federal labor laws
Information aboutLabor law or act
Minimum wage, overtime, child laborFair Labor Standards Act
Workplace safety, retaliation for whistleblowingOccupational Safety and Health Act
Migrant and seasonal agricultural workersMigrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA)
5 more rows
Dec 11, 2023

What does the US Department of Labor investigate? ›

Section 11(a) of the FLSA authorizes representatives of the Department of Labor to investigate and gather data concerning wages, hours, and other employment practices; enter and inspect an employer's premises and records; and question employees to determine whether any person has violated any provision of the FLSA.

What does WHD mean? ›

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Can you sue the US Department of Labor? ›

Can I Sue the U.S. Department of Labor? Yes, it is possible to sue the Department of Labor. A federal district court in Texas awarded over half a million dollars in attorneys' fees and costs to an employer when the Department of Labor was not substantially justified in its legal position.

What is the most common complaint filed with the CRD? ›

Explanation: The most common complaint filed with the Civil Rights Division (CRD) likely involves disputes about 'shared common areas' and other forms of housing discrimination.

What are unfair labor practices in the United States? ›

An agency commits a ULP when it violates rights that the Statute protects. Examples include: Threatening an employee that her career would not go much further if she proceeded with her grievance. Transferring an employee to an undesirable job because she filed a ULP charge.

What does title 7 say? ›

L. 88-352) (Title VII), as amended, as it appears in volume 42 of the United States Code, beginning at section 2000e. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

What are the main rights of employees under US labor laws? ›

Not be harassed or discriminated against (treated less favorably) because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40 or older) or genetic information (including family medical history). Receive equal pay for equal work.

What were the main issues of the labor movement? ›

The labor movement in the United States grew out of the need to protect the common interest of workers. For those in the industrial sector, organized labor unions fought for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions.

What does the Department of Labor focus on? ›

Answer: The Department of Labor (DOL) fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, ...

What are the problems with division of labor? ›

While division of labor can be beneficial, it can also lead to some negative consequences. For example, it can lead to workers becoming bored or pigeon-holed into repetitive and low-skilled jobs, increase dependence, and create a lack of responsibility among workers.

What are some of the current problems in labor relation practices? ›

THE TOP SIX LABOR RELATIONS ISSUES (AND HOW STRONG LABOR RELATIONS HELPS YOU AVOID THEM)
  • Managing and Resolving Conflicts. ...
  • Safe and Comfortable Work Conditions. ...
  • Promotions and Discipline. ...
  • Wage Negotiations. ...
  • Work and Life Balance. ...
  • Recruitment and Retention. ...
  • The Importance of Strong Labor Relations.
Dec 19, 2020

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