U.S. Department of Labor Blog
Good jobs, back pay, safety citations – it’s all in a day’s work at the Labor Department. This year we recovered billions for workers and their families, and awarded billions more in grants to organizations connecting people with good jobs from coast to coast and beyond. We celebrated workplace heroes, gathered worker and industry leaders, and met with people around the country. Check out some 2023 highlights below, and follow us on YouTube and Instagram for more videos about work in America.
Honoring America’s Workers
We support America’s workers and their commitment to progress every day at the Labor Department – but on Labor Day, the rest of the country joins in. Here’s why work in America is worth celebrating.
Recovering Back Wages
Wage theft is way more common than most people realize. In fiscal year 2023, our Wage and Hour Division recovered more than $274 million for more than 163,000 workers nationwide. This short video explains what to do if your paycheck is late or short.
Embracing Pride and Diversity
During Pride Month, we recommitted to supporting LGBTQI+ workers around the country, and raised the Progress Pride flag outside the department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Celebrating Disability Rights
2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act. Cecilia Grugan was one of several workers who shared how the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehab Act have improved their lives.
Recognizing First and Best Jobs
Acting Secretary Su’s first job was waiting tables. Ahead of Labor Day, she weighed in on what makes a job good.
Our Proudest Moments
One of Acting Secretary Su’s proudest moments working at the Department of Labor was inducting the El Monte Thai Garment workers into our Hall of Honor -- an event that had a personal connection for her.
Raising Awareness of Suicide – and Prevention
The suicide rate for workers in the construction industry is nearly four times higher than for the general population. In September, OSHA joined leading construction companies, labor unions and thousands of workers across the country for the annual Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down.
Embracing Apprenticeship
During National Apprenticeship Week, several recent graduates shared what they’d been able to achieve thanks to their apprenticeship programs.
Countering Gender-Based Violence and Harassment
The Women’s Bureau and the Biden-Harris administration tackled gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work, pursuing policies and offering guidance to make workplaces safer for all workers, regardless of gender.
Funding Programs to Help Workers, Job Seekers and Retirees
We issued more than $638 million in grants in fiscal year 2023. In August, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su joined Illinois’ Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to announce a $1.35 million grant to the Chicago Women in Trades. This will help introduce more women to the trades and prepare them to be competitive candidates for apprenticeships.
Laura McGinnis is director of digital strategies at the U.S. Department of Labor. Follow the department on social media.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This blog was edited to remove the phrase "in back wages" from the first sentence. The department recovered billions for workers and families, but the amount of back wages specifically was in the millions.