U.S. Department of Labor:Secretary Scalia Discusses Manufacturing in Ohio and Kentucky...

 

U.S. Department of Labor September 18, 2020 Secretary Scalia Discusses Manufacturing in Ohio and Kentucky Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia visited Ohio and Kentucky this week, where he met with workers and discussed the economic reopening, growth of American manufacturing and benefits of apprenticeship. Discover Apprenticeship A campaign launched this week aims to raise awareness about the benefits of apprenticeship and encourage employers to create apprenticeship programs. Coronavirus Grants Nearly $11.2 million in grants from the Department will help Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin address workforce-related impacts of the coronavirus. Healthcare Workforce Grants The Department will make $40 million in grants available to address rural healthcare workforce shortages around the country. Compliance Assistance Summit A summit this week highlighted the Department’s compliance assistance efforts, including new and updated resources as well as voluntary compliance and award programs. COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES Release: OSHA cited a New Jersey hospital for failing to protect workers from the coronavirus Release: OSHA cited a New Jersey residential care center for failing to protect workers from the coronavirus Release: The Department announced revised regulations to clarify paid leave requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Release: OSHA has cited a Massachusetts dental practice for failing to fully implement workplace respiratory protections Release: A Georgia consulting company has paid $1,599 in back wages after denying paid sick leave to an employee instructed to self-quarantine Guidance: Using cloth face coverings while working outdoors in hot and humid conditions Guidance: Using cloth face coverings while working indoors in hot and humid conditions IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Meatpacking Citations Issued OSHA has cited two meatpacking companies—Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp and JBS Foods Inc.—for failing to protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus. Hurricane Sally Support The Department is taking several actions to help Americans in states affected by Hurricane Sally. Visa Enforcement A New York horse trainer will pay $425,000 in court-ordered back wages, damages and civil penalties for Fair Labor Standards Act and H-2B visa program violations. Workforce Information Grants The Department has awarded $32 million in grants to help states and territories improve their labor market information programs. Workforce System Grant The Department awarded more than $1 million to Maryland’s Workforce Information Technology Support Center for IT improvements. Tax Credit The Department has awarded $2.5 million grants to 12 states to help ensure employers can benefit from the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Child Labor Fines A fast food restaurant franchisee has paid $50,000 in penalties for child labor violations at 11 locations in Idaho. Overtime Pay A Guam construction company will pay $109,112 in back wages and penalties to resolve overtime violations. Susan Harwood Grants OSHA awarded $11.2 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to 90 nonprofit organizations nationwide to create and improve workplace safety and health training programs. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Coronavirus PSAs The Wage and Hour Division has launched public service announcements in English and Spanish as part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness of paid sick leave and lawful pay requirements during the coronavirus pandemic.