By Dennis Powell, e-Management

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has many scratching their heads about what the department actually does. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. Keep in mind, DOL news coverage oftentimes centers on employment or rather unemployment numbers. The department, however, is broader than reporting employment statistics. In fact, 25 agencies including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) make up DOL. Essentially, the department deals with everything concerning labor. DOL also supports the needs of active workers as well as retirees.

How Much Do You Know about Labor?
DOL fosters programs (and policies) that strive to improve work environments. Labor is also here to be an advocate for the rights of and benefits for American workers. In our usual form, we’ve pulled together four awesome roles that DOL plays in our lives.

1. Providing Valuable Statistics on Employment and Economy. BLS is perhaps one of the best known agencies within DOL because it provides the most comprehensive research on economics, statistics, and labor. Data from BLS includes information on wages, productivity, and inflation among other areas. So, those monthly unemployment numbers reported in the news comes from data collected by BLS. The agency also provides statistics on major economic indicators including consumer price index and employment cost index. BLS data helps businesses, government organizations, and consumers get a clearer picture of our overall economy.
2. Making Safety at Top Priority. There are numerous ways workers can become seriously injured or even die on the job. Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to address safety concerns for American workers. Simply put, the law requires employers to provide safe workplaces for their employees. OSHA, an agency within DOL, helps to make the workplace safe and healthful for millions of workers. The agency does all this by “setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.” In the most recent strategy plan from DOL, the agency commits to reducing fatalities by two percent in the workplace and five percent in the mining industry.
3. Providing Assistance during Emergencies. Through the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), DOL provides grants to assist with a variety labor issues during times of crisis, natural disasters, or economic hard times. For instance, ETA recently announced it has released a half million dollars in grants for 130 Minnesota workers who were laid off after the closure of a mortgage company. As a result of the ETA grant, the dislocated workers now have access to “individual career counseling, skills assessment, skill upgrades, occupational skills training and job search assistance.” In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, DOL provided national emergency grants exceeding $50 million for cleanup and recovery initiatives in New York. These grants offer temporary work opportunities for persons in need. Similar grants were also awarded to other states ravaged by the unprecedented storm.
4. Supporting Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) isn’t the only government agency that seeks to protect the interests of veterans. DOL is also there for military service members. The agency partners with VA and other federal agencies to administer the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The program supports military service members who are transitioning into civilian life. TAP provides career assistance and other employment services. Recently, DOL decided to overhaul TAP. By September 30, the program will be completely redesigned and be accessible at 188 U.S. sites and 50 international locations. Participants of TAP receive comprehensive 3-day workshops and have access to family support services, potential employments, and government employment services.

Questioning DOL
DOL provides numerous programs that are designed to promote workplace, veterans transitioning to civilian life, and employment services during crises.  But, (1) what are your impressions of DOL? (2) Do you think it is doing enough when it comes to training or safety? (3) What labor/employment activities should the agency focus on?