September 20, 2020

ICYMI: U.S. Department of Labor Acts to Help American Workers and
Employers During the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America's Economy:

• U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Economic Reopening in Cincinnati, Ohio – "It was great to be back in Ohio and see the progress being made in safely re-opening our economy," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. "I was pleased to visit Consolidated Metals Products and learn about the steps they've taken to provide jobs and bring Americans back to work. I would also like to thank Great Oaks for hosting a valuable conversation on business growth, safe workplaces, and equipping workers with the skills needed for good-paying, meaningful jobs."

• U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights Workforce Development In Elizabethtown, Kentucky –"As industry increasingly demands specific skills from workers, apprenticeships and work-based training will be more important than ever in preparing Americans for good-paying jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. "I was pleased to visit Elizabethtown Community and Technical College to learn about their approach to worker training and had a good discussion at Summit Polymers about the policies needed for American manufacturing to thrive."

• U.S. Department of Labor Awards Nearly $11.2 Million in Dislocated Worker Grants in Response to Coronavirus Public Health Emergency – The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of three Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) totaling $11,150,278 to Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin, to help address the workforce-related impacts of the coronavirus public health emergency.

Keeping America's Workplaces Safe and Healthy:

• U.S. Department of Labor Cites Massachusetts Dental Practice for Failing to Fully Implement Workplace Respiratory Protections – OSHA cited a dental practice for violating respiratory protection and other standards at the Georgetown, Massachusetts, location. The company has paid the penalty in full and abated the citations.

Defending Workers' Rights to Paid Leave and Wages Earned:

• U.S. Department of Labor Continues Effort to Raise Awareness of Paid Sick Leave and Lawful Pay Requirements Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – As part of its comprehensive response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Wage and Hour Division is educating workers with a public awareness campaign about workplace rights amid the coronavirus pandemic.

• Atlanta, Georgia, Consulting Company Pays $1,599 in Back Wages To Employee Instructed to Self-Quarantine Due to Coronavirus Concerns – A consulting company paid back wages after denying paid sick leave to an employee who received a healthcare professional's instructions to self-quarantine due to coronavirus concerns.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on protecting the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employers, and carrying out the mission of the Department.

The mission of the Department of Labor is 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.

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Media Contacts:

Eric Holland, 202-693-4695, Holland.Eric.W@dol.gov

Release Number:  20-1809-NAT

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