3.4% unemployment rate is lowest since May 1969

The economy added 253,000 jobs in April, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.4%, the lowest since May 1969. The report reflects strong, steady economic growth fueled by the Biden-Harris administration’s investment in good jobs.

Pennsylvania federal jury awards a historic $22M in back wages

A federal jury has awarded $22 million in back wages to more than 7,500 employees working for East Penn Manufacturing Company Inc. – one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers – after the department proved that the company willfully failed to pay them for overtime. This is among the largest wage verdicts in the department’s history.

• Read the news release
• Watch a video message from Regional Solicitor Oscar Hampton

 

What the public health emergency ending means for your health coverage

The COVID-19 public health emergency is ending on May 11, 2023. Here are five important changes to your health coverage you may see.

Opioid recovery support

We’re awarding more than $2.8 million to help Ohio continue to provide employment and training services for people in communities affected by opioids.

A home run for workplace mental health

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society, our Office of Disability Employment Policy and Major League Baseball are teaming up to promote mental health-friendly workplaces and provide resources for anyone in need of support.

Funding available to support disability employment efforts through EARN

We’re making $2 million available by recompeting an existing cooperative agreement to manage the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion. EARN helps employers, human resources professionals, and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility staff find the resources they need to recruit, hire, retain and advance people with disabilities.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Mine safety stand down

Our Mine Safety and Health Administration will hold its first “Stand Down to Save Lives” on May 17 as part of a national campaign to improve mine safety and reduce fatalities.

Stressed at work?

More than 80% of U.S. workers have reported experiencing workplace stress. Learn how employers can reduce stress and support employees’ mental health.

Low cost, high impact

A new report finds that nearly half of workplace accommodations for people with disabilities can be implemented at little or no cost to employers.

Recovering overtime

We’ve obtained a consent judgment to recover $910,000 for 289 employees of a New Jersey staffing agency who were denied overtime wages.

Military spouses webinar

Military spouses: Learn promising strategies to increase employment opportunities and access to childcare options at our May 17 webinar.

Cooking up success

Read why Jacob, a graduate of the STRIVE Future Leaders workforce development program in New Orleans, says, “This program will help you prepare for your future."

#TeacherAppreciationWeek

An innovative labor-management partnership is helping teachers access the training they need, grow professionally and better serve their students.

#BeatTheHeat

Help raise awareness of heat risk at work by entering OSHA’s "Beat the Heat" contest and create a tool to increase knowledge about workplace heat hazards.

DATA SPOTLIGHT

Positive trends in labor force participation

At 83.3% in April, the labor force participation rate for all prime-age workers (25-54) is the highest since March 2008. The rate for women in this category increased to 77.5% and is the highest ratio on record since the series began in 1948.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

May is #MentalHealth Awareness Month. The Department of Labor has resources and strategies to help support workers’ mental health and improve workplace culture. Learn more about what you can do to promote mental health-friendly workplaces ⬇️ dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/mental-health
-@USDOL

IN THE NEWS

• 60 Minutes: From stakeouts to warrants: How federal investigators found more than 100 children cleaning slaughterhouses
• The Philadelphia Inquirer: Berks County battery manufacturer faces record-breaking $22 million verdict for wage violations