Labor Laws & Money Blog

In the week ending March 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 205,000, a decrease of 8,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 213,000. The 4-week moving average was 210,750, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 212,000 to 211,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of a website for its Center for Faith, following President Trump’s executive order creating a White House Faith Office and federal agency Centers for Faith. The department’s Center for Faith webpage contains resources for Americans who may have faced religious discrimination in the workplace, as well as information for faith organizations on potential grant opportunities and retirement plans.“Americans should not face discrimination in the workplace because of their religion. Our new Center for Faith website offers helpful guidance for American workers and faith organizations interested in competing for grants at the Department of Labor,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Thanks to President Trump, Americans’ right to religious freedom is more protected than ever before.”These new resources follow a recent decision from the department to add language in funding opportunity announcements that encourages faith organizations to apply for discretionary grants open to the public.This webpage offers materials related to efforts combatting all forms of religious discrimination, including Christian bias and anti-Semitism; additional faith-related policy; contact information; and three original resources:An interactive map of the United States, which details religious discrimination protections in each state and includes a listing of the state office overseeing religious discrimination. A guide for faith organizations to more easily navigate the federal grant process. A guide for faith organizations to navigate retirement benefits for their employees. View the department’s Center for Faith webpage. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration today removed from the Code of Federal Regulations the Biden-era 2024 final rule, “Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary,” responding to final judgments entered in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas vacating the rule. The vacatur notice in the Federal Register reflects the judicial resolution of legal challenges to the 2024 final rule and to amendments of associated prohibited transaction exemptions and restores the Employee Retirement Income Security Act’s five-part test for determining whether a person is an investment advice fiduciary. In July 2024, two federal district courts stayed the implementation of the 2024 final rule and the amendments to the associated PTEs, and final judgments have now been entered in both cases, vacating the 2024 final rule and PTE amendments.“The challenged regulation wrongly sought to impose ERISA fiduciary status on securities brokers and insurance agents when there was not a relationship of trust and confidence,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Daniel Aronowitz. “The Securities and Exchange Commission and state regulators regulate the activities of securities brokers and insurance agents and will continue to do so.”The department has no current plans to engage in notice and comment rulemaking in this regard and remains focused on its core mission, redoubling its efforts to make employer-based U.S. retirement plans the strongest and most innovative in the world. The department will consider whether any additional guidance, including transitional or non-enforcement relief, is appropriate.EBSA ensures the security of retirement, health, and other job-based benefits for American workers and their families. The agency is responsible for protecting more than 156 million workers, retirees, and their families, who are covered by approximately 2.6 million health plans, 801,000 private retirement plans, and 514,000 additional welfare benefit plans. Together, these plans hold about $13.8 trillion in assets.Employers and workers can contact EBSA at askebsa.dol.gov or call 866-444-3272 toll-free for help with private sector job-based retirement and health plans.

PRESCOTT, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Wisconsin beauty and personal care products manufacturer after a 55-gallon fiber drum containing nitrocellulose exploded and started a secondary fire involving flammable liquids. Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection into California-based SV Labs Prescott Corp. after the explosion and subsequent fire, and determined the employer did not have a thorough new hire safety and health program in place and failed to provide newly hired employees with chemical and respiratory protection training, respirator fit testing, and medical evaluations. OSHA cited SV Labs Prescott Corp. for two repeat violations related to respiratory protection and hazard communication, and 10 serious violations related to flammable liquids; fire extinguisher training and inspections; forklift training and inspections; electrical hazards; and hazard communications. The employer also received six other-than-serious citations for recordkeeping violations, lack of powered industrial truck training, and unsafe material handling. The agency proposed penalties of $275,694.The employer has contested the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case process. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status. Learn about chemical hazards and toxic substances and respiratory protections. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced the launch of its OSHA Cares initiative, an agency-wide effort focused on helping businesses meet federal workplace safety requirements, while also building strong, successful safety and health programs that benefit employers and workers.OSHA Cares highlights the ways OSHA can support employers and provide guidance to ensure all workers arrive home safely after every shift. OSHA is encouraging businesses to seek assistance or guidance to improve safety and health at their worksite. To that end, the agency is making a concerted effort to show businesses it is more approachable by emphasizing the benefits of reaching out for help or collaborating with the agency. Last month, OSHA unveiled an updated version of the poster employers are required to display in the workplace. The poster, which features a modern design, includes a message that aims to bring employers and workers together to address safety hazards and concerns. Additionally, the OSHA Cares initiative hopes to empower employers to improve workplace safety – particularly small and medium-sized businesses who face unique safety and health challenges – by increasing access to OSHA experts and compliance assistance specialists; improving access to educational and training materials; and offering consistent workplace assistance during enforcement visits and meetings. OSHA values working closely with small businesses, listening to stakeholders, building greater collaboration, and expanding compliance assistance to give employers the tools and knowledge they need to develop or build on a safety and health program. The agency’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs is launching a training program that will standardize how the agency’s Compliance Safety and Health Officers will offer real time assistance during inspections and enforcement activities. Visit OSHA.gov to learn more about OSHA Cares, ways the agency can help, or how to collaborate with OSHA.