U.S. Department of Labor Blog
“May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and the difference you make.”
I’ve had a sign with this quote hung in my offices over the years, guiding me through every chapter of my career—from my time as an attorney in private practice representing benefit plans to the past two-plus years of having the honor of leading the Department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).
But EBSA’s dedicated public servants have inspired me far more than any motivational quote ever could. They’re not here for flashy perks or big paychecks. They’re here because they believe in this agency’s mission—protecting the job-based benefits of America’s workers and their families.
EBSA may be a small agency, but our work impacts more than 156 million workers, retirees and their families. Over the course of this administration, we’ve recovered close to five billion dollars for plans, participants and beneficiaries.
We’ve expanded access to mental health care, strengthened protections for retirement savings, and enhanced worker voice through an employee ownership initiative. These efforts not only benefit workers and their families, but also employers, plan sponsors and other professionals we work with every day.
Meaningful results don’t just happen—they start with action. And every action I’ve taken began by asking for ideas and listening directly to the people at the heart of this agency and the workers, families and stakeholders we serve. I’ve worked hard to be approachable and accessible to everyone.
My top priority has always been to ensure more people know about this hidden gem of an agency. Through an aggressive outreach campaign, we encouraged anyone facing challenges with their job-based benefits to contact us online at AskEBSA.dol.gov or call us toll-free at 1-866-444-3272.
This effort has paid off. We’ve spread the word about EBSA through podcasts, TV and radio interviews, news articles, and events and visits across the country. As a result, more people know about us, and have been contacting EBSA and getting results.
Last year alone, our Benefits Advisors closed more than 199,000 inquiries—a significant increase from recent years—and recovered $544 million on behalf of workers and families, the highest recovery amount in the past 15 years.
This important work will continue with the next administration. My successor will step into an office with bare walls, ready to make it their own.
I won’t suggest hanging my favorite quote. My advice for any leader stepping into a new role is much simpler: keep your door and your mind open.
Listen to the people who make the work possible and connect with those you serve. Their voices will lead the way to making a difference and delivering results that matter.
Lisa M. Gomez is the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
