The Department of Labor Attorneys

The Department of Labor (DOL) is made up of an extensive web of agencies and programs. The mission of DOL is to uphold the safety and health of workers in their workplaces. Basically, DOL strives to advocate for the best interest of all employees, whether working or retiring. Their goal includes enhancing job environments, boosting profitable employment, and assuring work-related benefits and rights.

Cases that fall under the jurisdiction of DOL vary in complexity especially with many standards guiding and complicating the proceedings. The main responsibility of DOL is to investigate claims about work and hour laws, unemployment insurance, workplace injury, and safety and health standards in the workplace.

If you have a situation that comes under the jurisdiction of DOL, do not hesitate to consult with a DOL lawyer about your case.

How Does The Department of Labor Work?

Circumstances involving the Department of Labor are some of the most complicated to dispute, particularly since the amount of time to file can be as little as 30 days. With such a narrow timeline to make your complaint and move your case forward, it is wise to connect with a DOL attorney as soon as you are aware of a possible issue in your workplace.

DOL is made up of over twenty-five agencies and offices that help to regulate the workforce in the USA and protect the rights of working Americans. These administrations defend the goals and missions of the DOL. You can learn how to submit a DOL complaint here.

If you have any questions about the Department of Labor or one of its agencies, don’t hesitate to contact us.

DOL Law: The Basis For The Department of Labor

The Department of Labor enforces a number of federal laws to protect American workers. From these laws have sprung particular boards and administrations for the express purpose of enforcing these laws. We include only a few of the many DOL laws below.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) supports DOL by covering the safety and health of working conditions for Americans. Most businesses are required to follow OSHA’s regulations. The process of filing a claim with OSHA is a thorough one, requiring that the claim be followed as far as possible at this level before being moved to another court or jurisdiction. But if OSHA finds no cause to the case, then there can be no private lawsuit.

OSHA will look into any of the following claims.

• detailed, written and signed complaint by a current worker that reveals possible violation of safety or imminent danger.
• accusation of past physical injury by an existing hazard.
• imminent danger report.
• charge against a company covered by one of OSHA’s programs or a threat focused on by one of the programs.
• poor employer response to notification of a hazard.
• complaint against an employer who has failed to follow OSHA regulations in the past.
• report from a whistle blower.
• accusation about a workplace already scheduled or experiencing an OSHA inspection

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) contributes to DOL’s mission by creating a more efficient and higher functioning US labor market. They target the state and local workforce development systems. This program seeks to offer high quality education to employees, labor market reports, and income maintenance services.

ETA is guided by the following principles.

• supports the taxpayers and programs that will have results.
• encourages growth in business through a flexible workforce.
• equips workers with the knowledge and skills they’ll need to succeed.
• strives to bring financial freedom to the less fortunate.
• recognizes that the state and local communities will influence their administration best.
• partners education systems with workforce systems to prepare new workers.
• ensures that youth training programs focus on education.
• supports family and neighborhoods through faith-based and community programs.

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) promotes the DOL through the expansion of the amount of quality employment options for people with disabilities through particular strategies and rules. This office hopes to raise awareness and equality for employees with disabilities.

The ODEP focuses on its vision and purpose through the following.

• encourages ODEP policies and practices to be adopted and implemented.
• shares information about employment and disabilities.
• offers advice to the government and other employers.
• creates diverse and equal working environment with income equality.

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) enforces the DOL’s mission by reinforcing work contracts of business between the Federal Government and workers, benefiting job seekers and wage earners with equal employment opportunities. The OFCCP interacts with other Departmental agencies, including the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Women’s Bureau.

The OFCCP upholds its purpose in the following ways.

• assists contractors with the technical details of the requirements under the law.
• investigates complaints and evaluates compliance of federal contractors, specifically in personnel rules and standards.
• settles violations of requirements with contractors before going to court.
• oversees progress of contractors and fulfillment of policies through occasional reports.
• creates training programs to connect contractors to qualified employees.
• suggests ideas in how to enforce the law.

Office of Labor Management Standards (OLMS)

The Office of Labor Management Standards (OLMS) carries out the rules put in place by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA) to protect employees represented by labor organizations in private industry. OLMS also upholds requirements from the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and the Foreign Service Act of 1980, but OLMS has no authority over state, country, or municipal unions.

OLMS supports the DOL in the following actions.

• providing a “Bill of Rights” for unions.
• requesting reports of finances and administrative practices.
• overseeing report requirements from employers, consultants, employees, and surety companies during work engagement.
• offering standards for trusteeships.
• regulating union officer elections for fairness.
• creating safeguards for protecting union finances.

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP)

The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) manages four disability compensation programs that support the mission of the DOL. These programs offer wage replacement benefits, medical treatment, job rehabilitation, and work-related injury benefits. OWCP protects eligible employees, businesses, and the Federal Government by responding to complaints and offering benefits responsibly.

OWCP serves particular eligible groups of workers through the below programs:

• The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program provides compensation for employees who have become ill due to exposure to radiation or other types of hazardous materials.
• The Federal Employees’ Compensation Program focuses on federal employees and any occupational related diseases and injuries incurred through their job.
• The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program lessens the impact of work-related injury or disease on injured employees and their family by providing employee compensation and benefits.
• The Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation Program provides for coal miners who have become disabled due to disease from their line of work, including medical coverage.

Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) advocates on the behalf of American employees to uphold labor standards across the Nation. More specifically, WHD promotes the minimum wage, record keeping, overtime pay, and child labor standards. This division also protects agricultural workers, the family of workers, and immigrants.

The Department of Labor is made up by a crowd of agencies, programs, and administrations. Each of these boards do everything in their power to protect the rights of the American job worker. At one time or another, a worker may find himself or herself in a compromising position where the worker rights have been violated. The Department of Labor has an agency for every and any right violation that a worker may experience. Knowing which to apply can be frustrating.

If you have experienced a violation of your rights as an American job holder, contact a DOL lawyer who will know how to navigate the DOL and your rights under the law.
Don’t hesitate, talk to a DOL attorney: (412) 626-5626 or lawyer@lawkm.com

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC “KM&A” is a law firm serving all of Pennsylvania with our principal offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Call KM&A in western Pennsylvania at 412-626-5626 or in eastern Pennsylvania at 215-618-9185. KM&A can be reached by email at lawyer@lawkm.com.