United States Department of Labor

United States Department of Labor
Agency name	United States Department of Labor
Logo width	150
Formed	04 March 1913
Preceding1	United States Department of Commerce and Labor
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Frances Perkins Building, Washington, D.C.
Employees	17,450 (FY 2023)
Budget	$14.6 billion (FY 2023)
Chief1 name	Julie Su (Acting)
Chief1 position	United States Secretary of Labor
Chief2 name	Julie Su
Chief2 position	United States Deputy Secretary of Labor
Chief3 name	Seema Nanda
Chief3 position	Solicitor of Labor
Website	www.dol.gov

United States Department of Labor. The United States Department of Labor is a cabinet-level department of the federal government responsible for promoting the welfare of wage earners, job seekers, and retirees. It administers and enforces a wide array of federal labor laws concerning workplace safety, wage standards, unemployment benefits, and collective bargaining rights. The department's mission is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the working people, improve their working conditions, and advance opportunities for profitable employment.

History

The department was established on March 4, 1913, by President William Howard Taft's signature on the last day of his term, following the split of the former United States Department of Commerce and Labor. Its creation was championed by the American Federation of Labor and its leader Samuel Gompers, who had long advocated for a cabinet voice for workers. The first Secretary of Labor was William B. Wilson, a former United Mine Workers official. Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the department's role expanded dramatically during the New Deal with the passage of landmark acts like the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The tenure of Secretary Frances Perkins, the first woman appointed to a U.S. Cabinet position, was instrumental in shaping modern labor policy, including the creation of the Social Security Administration.

Organizational structure

The department is headquartered in the Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C., and is led by the United States Secretary of Labor, who is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. It comprises numerous agencies and offices, including major operating divisions such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA). Other significant components include the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS).

Functions and responsibilities

The department's primary functions include enforcing federal labor standards, collecting and analyzing critical economic data, and administering employment and training programs. Key responsibilities involve ensuring safe and healthful working conditions through OSHA and MSHA, guaranteeing minimum wage and overtime pay via the Wage and Hour Division, and protecting pensions and health plans under the Employee Benefits Security Administration. It also oversees unemployment insurance through state partnerships, provides job training services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and compiles essential economic indicators like the Consumer Price Index and the unemployment rate through the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Leadership and key officials

The department is headed by the United States Secretary of Labor, a member of the President's Cabinet; as of 2024, Julie Su serves as the Acting Secretary. The United States Deputy Secretary of Labor, also held by Julie Su, is the second-in-command. Other critical Senate-confirmed positions include the Solicitor of Labor, currently Seema Nanda, who is the department's chief legal officer, and the Assistant Secretaries who lead the various administrative agencies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is directed by a Commissioner, while agencies like OSHA are led by an Assistant Secretary.

Major laws enforced

The department enforces a comprehensive body of federal labor legislation. Foundational statutes include the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 authorizes workplace safety regulations. Other critical laws are the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), which governs private pension plans; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977; the Davis–Bacon Act of 1931 governing wages on federal contracts; and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 (WARN Act). It also enforces non-discrimination provisions for federal contractors under Executive Order 11246.

Budget and impact

For the 2023 fiscal year, the department operated with a budget of approximately $14.6 billion and employed around 17,450 staff. Its funding supports a vast range of activities, from workplace inspections and enforcement actions to job training grants and the compilation of national economic statistics by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The department's programs directly impact millions of Americans, from workers protected by safety standards and wage laws to unemployed individuals receiving benefits and job seekers accessing services through the American Job Center network. Its data and reports are closely watched by policymakers at the Federal Reserve, Congress, and financial markets worldwide.

Category:United States Department of Labor Category:1913 establishments in the United States Category:United States federal executive departments Category:Government agencies established in 1913