U.S. Department of Labor
Our Mission
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.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is a federal agency responsible for promoting and ensuring the welfare of job seekers, wage earners, and retirees. It administers and enforces various laws related to labor, employment, and workplace safety. Here’s a breakdown of its key functions and responsibilities:
Key Functions:
- Employment and Training: Provides resources for job seekers and workers, including job training programs, unemployment insurance, and career counseling.
- Wages and Hours: Enforces laws related to minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is one of the primary laws administered by the DOL in this area.
- Workplace Safety: Oversees the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets and enforces standards to ensure safe working conditions and prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
- Labor Statistics: Collects and analyzes data on employment, wages, and working conditions through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This data helps inform policy decisions and provides valuable information for businesses and workers.
- Pensions and Retirement: Manages the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), which oversees the protection of retirement, health, and other welfare benefits for workers and retirees.
- Apprenticeships: Administers and supports apprenticeship programs, which provide workers with the skills and experience needed for various trades and professions.
Major Agencies and Offices:
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Ensures workplace safety and health through regulations, inspections, and training.
- Wage and Hour Division (WHD): Enforces federal labor laws related to wages and hours worked.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides comprehensive data on employment, wages, and economic activity.
- Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA): Protects workers’ benefits and ensures compliance with benefit-related laws.
Mission and Goals:
The Department of Labor’s mission is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing opportunities for profitable employment, and assuring work-related benefits and rights.
The U.S. Department of Labor invites you to join a winning team that administers various programs, laws and policies designed to enhance the working conditions of the 21st-century workforce. We offer rewarding careers, exciting challenges and professional development opportunities for diverse, talented, and enthusiastic people who will serve the workforce of tomorrow.
Whether you’ve worked for the military, the private sector, academia and research, or in a non-profit setting, we believe your skills are transferable, and that you’ll find a challenging and rewarding career with us.
Our History:
In the early 20th century, deplorable working conditions, child labor abuse, and lack of wage protection were just some of the issues that prompted the creation of the Department of Labor. In 1913, Congress created the Department of Labor to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of America’s workers. This marked the culmination of nearly half a century of public demand for a department that would be devoted exclusively to supporting America’s workers.
Our Future:
As we face new challenges of the 21st-century, we need your talent, imagination and dedication to public service to continue our tradition of excellence in serving the American people. If you want to have a part in reshaping the American workforce of the 21st-century, your place is with the Department of Labor.
