Labor Laws & Money Blog

In the week ending December 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 214,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 224,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,750, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 217,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the rescission of regulations published by the previous administration in 2023 requiring contractors and subcontractors to give qualified employees the right of first refusal of employment with a successor contract. On Jan. 20, President Trump issued Executive Order 14148, “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions,” which revoked, among other items, Executive Order 14055. Today’s action fully implements Executive Order 14148 and revokes Executive Order 14055.Workers and employers can call the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division.Learn more about the department’s regulatory and deregulatory actions by viewing its semiannual regulatory agenda.

ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $17,311 in back wages from a Rowland Heights restaurant for nine workers who were denied proper overtime and earned tips, in violation of federal wage laws.The department’s Wage and Hour Division found that Naya Ding Inc., operating as Ma’s Kitchen, ran an unlawful tip pool arrangement, directing supervisors to only distribute a portion of earned tips to servers. The owners of the restaurant retained a percentage of the tips. The employer also failed to pay some employees the full, time-and-one-half rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, both violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.The division also found Ma’s Kitchen failed to keep accurate time records and payroll records of tips and cash paid to employees, FLSA recordkeeping violations. The employer faces a $2,985 civil money penalty for the willful nature of the violations.“Burdening employees with business expenses takes hard-earned wages out of workers’ pockets,” said Wage and Hour Division Assistant District Director Rafael Valles in West Covina, California. “That’s why the U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring employers pay workers their fully earned wages in compliance with federal law, and its Wage and Hour Division will use every enforcement tool necessary to resolve cases like this.”Employers and workers alike can contact the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE (487-9243). Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a fact sheet on Fair Labor Standards Act overtime requirements.Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division. The agency’s PAID program offers employers an opportunity to self-report and resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as certain potential violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act.Workers and employers can also track hours worked and pay by downloading the department’s free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. departments of Labor and Agriculture today announced a Memorandum of Understanding to maximize skills training and work opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. The agreement, which will help states more effectively connect SNAP participants with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act job training programs, aims to help more low-income Americans find and maintain employment.“Connecting more Americans with sustainable jobs is a critical responsibility of the Department of Labor,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m honored to partner with Secretary Rollins on this effort to streamline pathways to the workforce for men and women in need of a hand-up – not a hand-out. Empowering more Americans to become self-sufficient will grow our workforce and strengthen our economy.”“President Trump’s entire cabinet is working every day to ensure hardworking Americans can enter the workforce – and have the skills necessary to succeed in our booming economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Connecting low-income Americans, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, to education and employment opportunities is so important. This MOU signifies how our two agencies can further collaborate and use one another’s resources to not only help individuals attain career and technical education, but secure and retain employment. This also complements President Trump’s vision in the One Big Beautiful Bill, making certain work-capable individuals work, train, or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month. I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for her commitment and partnership in moving more individuals from the sidelines to the workforce.”Under the agreement, the departments will:Develop shared strategies to help SNAP and WIOA program participants access effective employment and training services that reduce their need for public benefits.Issue guidance to state agencies and workforce development boards clarifying that SNAP recipients must engage as a “participant” to fulfill the work requirement through a program under WIOA.Encourage states to explore program flexibilities and innovations, including WIOA waiver requests, that improve the alignment of SNAP and WIOA programs for the benefit of helping low-income job seekers enter, re-enter, and remain in the workforce.Work in a coordinated manner to assist states in successfully navigating various program requirements and utilizing available federal resources to maximize the success of the prospective American worker.Offer and encourage joint technical assistance on how to maximize the benefits of each program to expand job opportunities for SNAP recipients and low-income workers.Coordinate the review of WIOA Combined State Plans that include SNAP employment and training, including communication regarding the submission and approval of such plans.Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the departments of Labor and Agriculture. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. departments of Labor and Agriculture today announced a Memorandum of Understanding to maximize skills training and work opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. The agreement, which will help states more effectively connect SNAP participants with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act job training programs, aims to help more low-income Americans find and maintain employment.“Connecting more Americans with sustainable jobs is a critical responsibility of the Department of Labor,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m honored to partner with Secretary Rollins on this effort to streamline pathways to the workforce for men and women in need of a hand-up – not a hand-out. Empowering more Americans to become self-sufficient will grow our workforce and strengthen our economy.”“President Trump’s entire cabinet is working every day to ensure hardworking Americans can enter the workforce – and have the skills necessary to succeed in our booming economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Connecting low-income Americans, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, to education and employment opportunities is so important. This MOU signifies how our two agencies can further collaborate and use one another’s resources to not only help individuals attain career and technical education, but secure and retain employment. This also complements President Trump’s vision in the One Big Beautiful Bill, making certain work-capable individuals work, train, or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month. I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for her commitment and partnership in moving more individuals from the sidelines to the workforce.”Under the agreement, the departments will:Develop shared strategies to help SNAP and WIOA program participants access effective employment and training services that reduce their need for public benefits.Issue guidance to state agencies and workforce development boards clarifying that SNAP recipients must engage as a “participant” to fulfill the work requirement through a program under WIOA.Encourage states to explore program flexibilities and innovations, including WIOA waiver requests, that improve the alignment of SNAP and WIOA programs for the benefit of helping low-income job seekers enter, re-enter, and remain in the workforce.Work in a coordinated manner to assist states in successfully navigating various program requirements and utilizing available federal resources to maximize the success of the prospective American worker.Offer and encourage joint technical assistance on how to maximize the benefits of each program to expand job opportunities for SNAP recipients and low-income workers.Coordinate the review of WIOA Combined State Plans that include SNAP employment and training, including communication regarding the submission and approval of such plans.Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the departments of Labor and Agriculture.