http://www.dol.gov/ en http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260824-1 COLUMBIA, SC – A South Carolina restaurant group has paid $618,666 in back wages to 779 employees and an additional $100,000 in civil money penalties after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found child labor and wage violations across 13 restaurant locations.Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division found tip pool, recordkeeping, and overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act at multiple Tropical Grille locations. This included allowing managers and supervisors to participate in the restaurants’ tip pool, which is expressly prohibited under the FLSA. In addition, the employer failed to combine all hours worked for employees at various locations, which led to some workers not receiving time and one-half their regular rates of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.The division also determined that Tropical Grille Restaurants violated the hazardous occupation provisions of the FLSA and allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work longer and later than legally permitted by federal child labor laws.The division recovered $618,666 in back wages for 779 workers across 13 Tropical Grille locations in Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Greer, Lexington, Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Spartanburg, as well as five locations in Greenville on Pelham Road, Old Buncombe Road, South Main Street, Verdae Boulevard, and Woodruff Road. The division also assessed Tropical Grille Restaurants with civil money penalties totaling $100,000 for the child labor and tip retention violations.As part of a compliance agreement, the employer is also required to update or create materials that address compliance with child labor laws and provide annual training on child labor regulations for managers and supervisors, among other requirements.The department’s YouthRules! site is a free, online guide that offers information about protections for young workers to youth, parents, employers, and educators. Through the YouthRules! initiative, the department and its partners promote work experiences that prepare young workers to enter the workforce. Workers and employers can call the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division. The agency’s PAID program offers employers an opportunity to self-report and resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the FLSA, as well as certain potential violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool that workers can use if they think they may be owed back wages collected by the division. Download the agency’s free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices to track hours and pay. Mon, 24 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260824-1 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260824-0 NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $101,125 in back wages from three Baton Rouge area Japanese restaurants after a federal investigation found federal minimum wage and overtime violations.  The department’s Wage and Hour Division investigated the pay practices of Gulfcoast Restaurant Group LLC, operating as Umami Japanese Bistro in Baton Rouge; Geishaville LLC, doing business as Geisha, Sushi with a Flair in Prairieville; and Chopstix LLC, operating as Geisha, Sushi with a Flair in Denham Springs. The three restaurants share the same owners. At Umami Japanese Bistro, division investigators found that servers were required to share their tips with non-tipped kitchen staff, such as cooks and dishwashers, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This practice invalidated the employer’s use of the tip credit and required the employer to pay more than $66,000, which accounted for full minimum wage payments owed to the affected employees. Additionally, workers were reimbursed $7,450 in tips improperly diverted to kitchen staff. At the two Geisha, Sushi with a Flair restaurants, the division found that salaried, nonexempt kitchen employees were collectively denied more than $27,000 in overtime pay as a result of the employers’ failure to pay an overtime premium of time and one-half the regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The employers paid a total of $101,125 in back wages to the affected employees for the FLSA violations. They also paid $2,325 in penalties for requiring servers to share tips with kitchen staff.“The FLSA violations found at these restaurants are far too common in the service industry,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Troy Mouton, in New Orleans. “Employers who claim a tip credit must ensure that they comply with the rules involving tipped employees, and they also must demonstrate that overtime is paid properly to those who have earned it.”Workers and employers can call the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). The agency’s PAID program offers employers an opportunity to self-report and resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the FLSA, as well as certain potential violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool that workers can use if they think they may be owed back wages collected by the division. Download the agency’s free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices to track hours and pay.  Mon, 24 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260824-0 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260824 NASHVILLE, TN – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained an enhanced compliance agreement from a Captain D’s restaurant franchisee to ensure future compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions after an investigation of its Cleveland, Tennessee location found child labor violations.The action comes after the department’s Wage and Hour Division learned that a minor employed by Two Beacons LLC, operating as Captain D’s, was hurt by hot grease while using a manual fryer. Investigators found that Captain D’s allowed minor employees to manually lower food into hot oil deep fryers, which is prohibited for 14- and 15-year-olds. Minors were also permitted to operate a commercial-grade batter mixer, which is prohibited for workers under age 18, violating federal child labor provisions under the FLSA. The employer also permitted 14- and 15-year-olds to work outside of legally allowed hours.The franchisee paid $62,235 in civil money penalties to resolve the child labor violations and signed an enhanced compliance agreement that affects all seven of its current and future locations. Under the agreement, the employer will modify the uniforms of employees under 16-years-old to distinguish them from older employees, ensure youth workers are informed of their rights, and hold managers accountable to child labor regulations, including the possibility of termination for violations. In fiscal year 2025, the department investigated 976 cases with child labor violations involving 5,272 minors nationwide, including 773 minors employed in violation of hazardous occupation standards. The department assessed employers more than $37 million in civil money penalties to address violations.Employees and employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including youth employment regulations on dangerous jobs that are prohibited for workers under age 18.  Mon, 24 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260824 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260820 In the week ending August 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 206,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 209,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 204,000, an increase of 4,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 199,000 to 199,750. Thu, 20 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260820 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20260820 JANESVILLE, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Wisconsin-based food products manufacturer after two incidents involving industrial kettles releasing hot steam and liquid, causing three worker deaths and two serious injuries.Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration responded to the first incident on Feb. 12, 2026, at IPMF LLC, operating as NaturPak. The incident involved the lid of an industrial kettle unexpectedly opening after a clogged vent line led to pressure building up, and then releasing steam, liquid, and organic material onto two employees nearby. One of the employees was also struck by an object and suffered a concussion. Both employees were hospitalized, and one later passed away because of complications from their injuries. A month later, OSHA investigators responded to another incident involving multiple worker hospitalizations on March 18, when a kettle lid opened while under pressure releasing steam, hot liquid, and organic material, burning three workers. Two workers were fatally injured and another hospitalized. OSHA issued the employer one serious citation for the design and usage of kettles leading to pressure and thermal burn hazards; a repeat citation for exposing workers to falls to lower levels; and an other-than-serious citation for failing to notify employees working adjacent to permit-required confined spaces.OSHA also issued serious citations for exposing workers to thermal hazards without quick access to emergency water. The employer also received citations for exposing workers to falls into the kettles and for failure to assess personal protective equipment for thermal risks. In addition, OSHA issued repeat citations for failure to develop, document, and utilize lockout/tagout procedures for the kettles and failure to train employees on lockout/tagout procedures. The agency issued citations with $115,850 in penalties related to the inspection opened on Feb. 12 and $248,250 in penalties for the inspection opened on March 18.  IPMF LLC has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.   Thu, 20 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20260820 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ilab/ilab20260819 WASHINGTON – The United States today announced the successful resolution of the USMCA Rapid Response Labor Mechanism matter at the Grupo Yazaki, S.A. de C.V. facility located in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. The United States has resumed liquidation of tariffs on goods from the Yazaki facility, which manufactures automotive components, wire harnesses, and electronic components. The resolution represents real progress in protecting American workers’ ability to compete in trade, requiring Mexican manufacturers to comply with Mexican law and the provisions of the USMCA. It is another win for the Trump Administration, whose America First approach puts American workers first by ensuring auto parts suppliers in other countries do not undermine worker protections to gain an unfair trade advantage or attract investment. The Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative facilitated a resolution with the Government of Mexico to remediate workers’ claims at Yazaki.Actions taken by Yazaki to address the matter include:Issuing a neutrality statement and company guidelines related to freedom of association and collective bargaining;Adopting a policy to respect the rights of minority unions that do not hold ownership of the collective bargaining agreement; andSigning a letter of commitment to deliver the neutrality statement and company guidelines to workers, train workers on the same, provide space for Mexico’s Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare to train workers on freedom of association and collective bargaining, and publish and disseminate to workers the company’s minority union policy.Actions taken by Mexico to address the matter include: Delivering in-person trainings for all company personnel on freedom of association and collective bargaining; andMonitoring the facility and engaging with the workers and the company throughout its review period.Based on these measures, the United States Trade Representative directed the Secretary of the Treasury to resume liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the facility. Background The United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement’s innovative enforcement tool, the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism, enables the U.S. government to act quickly and directly at the facility level when workers in Mexico are denied the rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining. The United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Labor co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement that coordinates U.S. efforts related to enforcement actions on USMCA labor obligations, including the RRM. On October 20, 2025, the ILC received an RRM petition from Sindicato Independiente Nacional de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Industria Automotriz, a Mexican independent union. The petition alleges that Yazaki and an incumbent union at the facility have violated workers’ rights by interfering in employees’ union activity and retaliating against workers because of their attempts to organize an independent union at the facility. The ILC reviews RRM petitions that it receives, and the accompanying information, within 30 days. The ILC determined that there was sufficient, credible evidence of a denial of rights enabling the good faith invocation of enforcement mechanisms. As a result, on November 19, 2025, the United States Trade Representative submitted a request to Mexico to review the matter. Mexico accepted the request, conducted an investigation, and worked with Yazaki to implement measures aimed at safeguarding freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. The United States has reviewed the matter and concluded the situation to have been remediated.As a result of the above actions taken by Yazaki and Mexico to resolve the action, the United States agrees that there is no ongoing denial of rights. Ambassador Greer’s letter directing the Secretary of the Treasury to resume liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the facility is available here. Learn more about the department’s work to make global competition fair for American workers. Wed, 19 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ilab/ilab20260819 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260813 In the week ending August 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 209,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 199,000 to 200,000. The 4-week moving average was 199,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 198,750 to 199,000. Thu, 13 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260813 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260810 ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $113,199 in back wages after an investigation found a Richmond Hill urgent care facility failed to pay its workers for hours worked and retaliated against a worker for questioning its pay practices.An investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division found that Premier Health Consultants LLC – operating as St. Joseph Candler Urgent Care – violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by paying straight time instead of time and one-half in overtime for all hours worked over 40 when employees were required to attend mandatory orientation, meetings, and training. The employer also required certain employees to work off the clock, resulting in unpaid overtime, and suspended a worker who questioned pay practices, all violations of the FLSA.Workers and employers can call the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division. The agency’s PAID program offers employers an opportunity to self-report and resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the FLSA, as well as certain potential violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool that workers can use if they think they may be owed back wages collected by the division. Download the agency’s free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices to track hours and pay. Mon, 10 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20260810 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20260807 WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling issued the following statement regarding the July 2026 Employment Situation Report:“The labor market is seeing continued growth in private sector employment, adding 30,000 jobs in July and 426,000 this year. Additionally, we are adding jobs in key sectors with gains in construction and manufacturing driven by the trillions of dollars of investments that are pouring into the United States.” Fri, 07 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20260807 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260806 In the week ending August 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 199,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 197,000 to 198,000. The 4-week moving average was 198,750, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 202,750 to 203,250. Thu, 06 Aug 26 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260806