EZEFLOW USA Sued for Disability Discrimination

Pipe Fittings Manufacturer Fired a Veteran With PTSD Instead of Giving Him Brief Unpaid Medical Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation, Federal Agency Says

EZEFLOW USA, a pipe fittings manufacturer, violated federal law when it refused to give unpaid leave to a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fired him as a result of his disability, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it announced.

According to the EEOC's lawsuit, Adam Brant, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, worked for EZEFLOW USA, a Canadian-based company, at its U.S. headquarters in New Castle, Pa., as a maintenance technician. While there, he experienced seizures later determined to be caused by PTSD. Brant provided the company's human resources representative with a note from his neurologist requesting that Brant be off work for six weeks, and specifically restricting him from driving, heights and working with heavy machinery during that period.

The EEOC alleged that Brant requested six weeks of unpaid medical leave, a request that EZEFLOW USA denied because Brant was still a probationary employee, and that the company subsequently terminated him. The EEOC further charged that EZEFLOW USA maintains a policy of providing up to 26 weeks of paid leave to non-probationary employees.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employers from firing an individual because of his disability. The ADA also requires employers to provide a reasonable accommodation, including granting unpaid medical leave, to an employee with a disability unless the company can show it would be an undue hardship to do so. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. EZEFLOW USA, Inc., Civil Action No. 2:14-cv-00527-MPK) in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, after first attempting to reach a voluntary pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.
"The EEOC is strongly committed to ensuring that veterans with disabilities are treated fairly in the workplace," said Regional Attorney Debra M. Lawrence of the EEOC's Philadelphia District Office. "This case demonstrates that the EEOC will engage in litigation when warranted: when an employer refuses to abide by its legal obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation to keep a veteran with a disability gainfully employed."

EEOC District Director Spencer H. Lewis, Jr. added, "Mr. Brant served his country honorably as a Marine. Granting unpaid leave to a veteran with a disability is not only the decent thing to do - federal law requires it. Unfortunately, the company refused to even consider this easy way to accommodate Mr. Brant and instead fired a qualified veteran simply because of a disability - which is counterproductive as well as unlawful and unfair. That is why this lawsuit is important to the public interest."

On Nov. 16, 2011, the EEOC held a public hearing, entitled "Overcoming Barriers to the Employment of Veterans with Disabilities." In that meeting, the Commission heard testimony from a panel of experts on the unique needs of veterans with disabilities transitioning to civilian employment. As an outgrowth of that meeting, the EEOC issued two revised publications addressing veterans with disabilities and the ADA. The Guide for Employersexplains how protections for veterans with service-connected disabilities differ under the ADA and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and how employers can prevent disability-based discrimination and provide reasonable accommodations.

Source: EEOC

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

$6M in job training grants available to assist Vets

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today announces a grant competition that will award an estimated 24 or more Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program grants totaling approximately $6 million to provide an estimated 2,000 veterans with occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, to help them succeed in the civilian labor market.

"Every day, our service members — and their families — make tremendous sacrifices for their country. Yet too many veterans are homeless," said Secretary Perez. "The programs funded through this grant will work to help homeless veterans find good jobs and provide them with opportunities for a brighter future."

Funds are being awarded on a competitive basis to: state and local workforce investment boards; local public agencies; tribal governments and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. Successful applicants will design a program that addresses the multitude of challenges associated with homeless veterans.

HVRP grantees must promote active engagement with industry, employers and employer associations to identify the skills needed for in-demand jobs and careers. The grantees will coordinate their efforts with various local, state and federal social service providers. 
 
Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Promoting Opportunity for Veterans and Workers With Disabilities

by Secretary Tom Perez on August 27, 2013

On my first day as secretary of labor, I made it clear that protecting and promoting opportunity for America’s workers is my top priority. Today, Vice President Biden announced two new actions that will do exactly that – strengthening civil rights laws to create more economic opportunity for veterans and people with disabilities.

For four decades, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act have prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of veteran status or disability. These laws have required federal contractors and subcontractors to affirmatively recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals.

But unfortunately, the laws haven’t always worked as intended. People with disabilities, who have an enormous contribution to make to our economy, and veterans, who have risked life and limb on our behalf, are still disproportionately represented among the unemployed and those out of the workforce entirely.
So the steps we are announcing will ensure that qualified workers have more meaningful opportunities to find, secure and keep good jobs. We are providing specific metrics to help contractors measure their progress toward achieving equal opportunity for people with disabilities and protected veterans. We are clarifying expectations, making legal requirements more effective and facilitating compliance with the law.

You can read the rules and other materials on our website at www.dol.gov/ofccp/VEVRAARule and www.dol.gov/ofccp/503Rule.

I believe promoting and protecting opportunity is only possible through collaboration, consensus-building and pragmatic problem-solving. And that has been exactly the protocol here − the department developed these rules through a multiyear process of stakeholder engagement and consultation.

Since 2010, the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has met with advocates, policymakers, employer groups, workers and job seekers. We listened to their stories about the challenges facing veterans and people with disabilities in the workforce, and we saw the limitations of the legal requirements designed to assist these populations. We also listened to contractors, and we made appropriate changes to address their concerns about how best to implement these necessary improvements.

We know that these regulations represent a change for contractors and we are ready to facilitate their success. OFCCP staff will be on hand to provide compliance assistance.

Being a federal contractor is a privilege − one that comes with the reasonable responsibility to abide by the law and provide equal employment opportunity to all workers. Today’s new rules make those expectations clearer and more meaningful. We will continue to work with all stakeholders as they implement these changes, promoting opportunity and access for millions of workers across thousands of workplaces.

These new rules are a win-win. They will benefit veterans and people with disabilities, who belong in the economic mainstream of the nation but have faced unfair barriers in the job market. They will benefit employers who do business with the federal government, increasing their access to a large, diverse pool of qualified workers. And they will benefit the entire nation, as these rules help us fulfill the American promise of equal opportunity for all.

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

More than 14,000 veterans to be helped by almost $29 million in grants awarded to 121 organizations by the US Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service announced the award of 121 grants, totaling almost $29 million, to provide more than 14,000 veterans across the nation with job training, job placement, housing and other services. The grants were awarded through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.
   
"Military service members and their families have been asked to make tremendous sacrifices for this nation. Although homelessness among veterans has fallen, too many of our heroes cannot find jobs or homes," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "These grants will provide those who have served our nation with the means to find meaningful civilian employment and chart new directions for their lives."

The HVRP grants will help homeless veterans reintegrate into society and the labor force while providing effective services aimed at addressing the complex challenges that homeless veterans often confront. The services provided by grantees will include job placement, on-the-job training, career counseling, life skills and money management mentoring, as well as help in finding housing.

The 121 HVRP grants to assist homeless veterans total $28,722,299. The grants include: 20 one-year awards with three option years, totaling $5,190,656; 11 one-year awards with no option years, totaling $2,290,858; 67 second-year awards, totaling $15,857,643; and 23 third-year awards of $5,383,142. VETS estimates the funding will help approximately 14,361 veterans. Option-year funding decisions are determined by factors such as available congressional appropriations and the performance of grantees. HVRP is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on employment of homeless veterans.

Funds were awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. These organizations are familiar with the areas and populations to be served and have demonstrated that they can administer effective programs to help veterans.

More information on the Department of Labor's unemployment and re-employment programs for veterans can be found at www.dol.gov/vets/. For more information on these HVRP grants, contact Cassandra Mitchell at 202-693-4570.

A list of HVRP grant awardees follows:

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program PY13 First-Year Grantees
GRANTEE	CITY	STATE	AMT.
One year awards with three option years			$5,190,656
Aletheia House, Inc.	Birmingham	Al	$300,000
North County Interfaith Council, Inc.	Escondido	CA	$300,000
The Salvation Army, A California Corporation (The Haven)	Long Beach	CA	$300,000
Faith, Hope, Love, Charity, Inc.	Palm Springs	FL	$300,000
The Strategist	Honolulu	HI	$300,000
Crossroads Rehabilitation Center (Easter Seals)	Indianapolis	IN	$267,580
Veterans, Inc.	Worcester	MA	$200,000
Veterans, Inc.	Worcester	MA	$125,000
Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc.	Baltimore	MD	$300,000
Three Oaks Homeless Shelter	Lexington Park	MD	$128,000
Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region	Silver Spring	MD	$299,940
Volunteers of America Michigan, Inc.	Southfield	MI	$300,000
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans	St. Paul	MN	$120,000
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico	Albuquerque	NM	$250,136
Easter Seals New York, Inc.	Rochester	NY	$300,000
Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries Rehab Center, Inc.	Cincinnati	OH	$300,000
Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.	Pittsburg	PA	$200,000
The Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center	Philadelphia	PA	$300,000
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island	Johnston	RI	$300,000
American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program, Inc.	San Antonio	TX	$300,000
One year awards with no option years			$2,290,858
Volunteers of America	Sacramento	CA	$142,988
Denver Options, Inc., dba Rocky Mountain Human Service	Denver	CO	$200,000
North Side Housing and Supportive Services	Chicago	IL	$300,000
Mountain Comprehensive Care Center	Prestonburg	KY	$162,400
Volunteers of America Michigan, Inc.	Southfield	MI	$300,000
Black Veterans for Social Justice, Inc.	Brooklyn	NY	$300,000
United Veterans Beacon House, Inc.	Bay Shore	NY	$145,470
Easter Seals New York, Inc.	Rochester	NY	$200,000
Central Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board	Oklahoma City	OK	$140,000
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc.	Eugene	OR	$200,000
Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness	Johnson City	TN	$200,000
TOTAL FIRST YEAR GRANTEES		TOTAL	$7,481,514
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program PY13 Second-Year Grantees
GRANTEE	CITY	STATE	AMT.
United States Veterans Initiative	Prescott	AZ	$140,000
Able-Disabled Advocacy, Inc.	San Diego	CA	$300,000
California Veterans Assistance Foundation, Inc.	Bakersfield	CA	$121,757
New Directions, Inc.	Los Angeles	CA	$300,000
People Assisting the Homeless (P.A.T.H.)	Los Angeles	CA	$300,000
The Salvation Army, a California Corporation	Long Beach	CA	$300,000
United States Veterans Initiative	Long Beach	CA	$300,000
Volunteers of America of Greater Los Angeles, Inc.	Los Angeles	CA	$300,000
Working Wardrobes for a New Start	Costa Mesa	CA	$277,796
Center Point, Inc.	San Rafael	CA	$150,000
City and County of Denver	Denver	CO	$300,000
Journey Home, Inc.	Hartford	CT	$90,469
All Faith Consortium, Inc.	Washington	DC	$300,000
National Organization of Concerned Black Men	Washington	DC	$300,000
United States Veterans Initiative	Washington	DC	$300,000
City of Jacksonville, Florida	Jacksonville	FL	$218,260
Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners	Tampa	FL	$200,000
Volunteers of America of Florida	St. Petersburg	FL	$298,075
Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency	Atlanta	GA	$238,397
Goodwill Industries of the Heartland	Iowa City	IA	$200,000
Wall Street Mission dba Goodwill Industries	Sioux City	IA	$62,598
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago	Chicago	IL	$300,000
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Inc.	Peoria	IL	$200,000
National Able Network, Inc.	Chicago	IL	$238,000
The Inner Voice, Inc.	Chicago	IL	$270,000
Transitional Living Services, Inc.	McHenry	IL	$300,000
ECHO Housing Corporation	Evansville	IN	$130,313
HealthNet, Inc.	Indianapolis	IN	$254,546
Volunteers of America Kentucky, Inc.	Louisville	KY	$300,000
Quad Area Community Action Agency, Inc.	Hammond	LA	$200,000
Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans, Inc.	New Orleans	LA	$300,000
Father Bill's & MainSpring, Inc.	Quincy	MA	$216,000
Interseminarian Project Place, Inc.	Boston	MA	$115,781
Veterans, Inc.	Worcester	MA	$300,000
Volunteers of America of Massachusetts, Inc.	Jamaica Plains	MA	$149,956
United Veterans of America, Inc. dba Soldier On	Leeds	MA	$300,000
Veterans, Inc.	Worcester	MA	$225,000
Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation	Millersville	MD	$134,487
Way Station, Inc.	Frederick	MD	$300,000
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries	Highland Park	MI	$300,000
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc.	Grandville	MI	$208,500
Volunteers of America of Michigan	Lansing	MI	$200,000
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans	St. Paul	MN	$300,000
Volunteers of America of the Delaware Valley, Inc.	Collingswood	NJ	$150,000
Albany Housing Coalition, Inc.	Albany	NY	$118,800
America Works of New York, Inc.	New York	NY	$300,000
Project Renewal, Inc.	New York	NY	$100,064
Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.	Rochester	NY	$300,000
Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries Rehabilitation Center, Inc.	Cincinnati	OH	$300,000
United Methodist Community Center	Youngstown	OH	$266,000
Easter Seals Oregon	Portland	OR	$200,000
Commission on Economic Opportunity	Wilkes-Barre	PA	$100,000
Impact Services Corporation	Philadelphia	PA	$300,000
Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.	Pittsburg	PA	$300,000
YWCA of Greater Harrisburg	Harrisburg	PA	$178,750
Alianza Municipal de Servicios Integrados	Caquas	PR	$104,659
Volunteers of America of the Carolinas, Inc.	Blythewood	SC	$299,435
Operation Stand Down Nashville, Inc.	Nashville	TN	$300,000
American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program, Inc.	San Antonio	TX	$300,000
American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program, Inc.	San Antonio	TX	$300,000
American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program, Inc.	San Antonio	TX	$300,000
Career and Recovery Resources, Inc.	Houston	TX	$300,000
River City Comprehensive Counseling Services	Richmond	VA	$300,000
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs	Olympia	WA	$100,000
Center for Veterans Issues, Ltd.	Milwaukee	WI	$200,000
Center for Veterans Issues, Ltd.	Milwaukee	WI	$300,000
Volunteers of America of the Northern Rockies	Sheridian	WY	$200,000
TOTAL SECOND YEAR GRANTEES		TOTALS	$15,857,643
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program PY13 Third-Year Grantees
GRANTEE	CITY	STATE	AMT.
United States Veterans Initiative (Riverside)	Riverside	CA	$175,000
Vietnam Veterans of California, Inc.	Santa Rosa	CA	$238,000
Vietnam Veterans of San Diego	San Diego	CA	$280,000
Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists, Inc.	Marina	CA	$200,000
Volunteers of America of Greater Los Angeles, Inc.	Los Angelos	CA	$300,000
The Workplace, Inc.	Bridgeport	CT	$299,670
Boley Centers, Inc.	St. Petersburg	FL	$300,000
United States Veterans Initiative (Hawaii)	Kapolei	HI	$200,000
Shelter House Community Shelter & Transition Services	Iowa City	IA	$105,425
America Works of Illinois	Chicago	IL	$300,000
Veterans, Inc.	Worcester	MA	$200,000
Veterans, Inc.	Worcester	MA	$200,000
Vietnam Veterans Workshop, Inc. dba New England Shelter	Boston	MA	$219,620
Harbor Homes, Inc.	Nashua	NH	$200,000
United States Veterans Initiative	Las Vegas	NV	$230,000
Jericho Project	New York	NY	$111,580
Services for the UnderServed, Inc.	New York	NY	$180,000
Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio, Inc.	Brecksville	OH	$300,000
Central Oregon Veterans Outreach	Bend	OR	$143,847
Easter Seals Oregon	Portland	OR	$300,000
Goodwill Industries of Houston	Houston	TX	$300,000
Service of the Emergency Aid Research Center for the Homeless	Houston	TX	$300,000
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs	Olympia	WA	$300,000
TOTAL THIRD YEAR GRANTEES		TOTAL	$5,383,142
TOTAL FUNDING FOR ALL PY13 GRANTEES AWARDED			$28,722,299

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Grants available from US Labor Department to provide job training, employment services for 1,900 homeless female veterans, veterans with families

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Female Veterans and Veterans with Families grants. Approximately 1,900 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

"Much too often, those who have given so much to the nation face a difficult transition to civilian life and struggle to find a job that matches their talents," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "The grants announced today will help provide support and job assistance for veterans and their families, and open doors for career opportunities."

Funds for the grants are being awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and faith-based and community organizations. Grantees must be familiar with the areas and populations to be served, and have demonstrated that they can administer effective programs and coordinate their efforts with various local, state and federal social service providers. Homeless female veterans and veterans with families may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services.

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Working for Our Veterans: A Recap of the #VetsJobsChat

On May 13, 2013, acting Secretary Seth Harris and representatives of the American Legion hosted a Twitter town hall on veterans employment issues. Other federal agencies jumped in, too. Here’s a look at the conversation (with Q’s & A’s) as well as some resources that were shared.

View as slideshow

Source: DOL
 

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

Women Veterans Call Center

On April 23, 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched its new Women Veterans hotline—1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636)—an incoming call center that receives and responds to questions from women Veterans, their families, and caregivers across the nation about available VA services and resources.

“The Women Veterans Call Center is aimed at increasing women Veterans’ knowledge of all VA services and benefits that they deserve,” said Krista Stephenson, Army Veteran and Women Veterans Call Center Director.

Since 2000, the number of women using VA health care has more than doubled, from nearly 160,000 to more than 360,000 in 2012. Women now make up 15 percent of active duty and 18 percent of Guard/Reserves service members. Based on the upward trend of women in all branches of service, the number of women Veterans and female VA users is expected to double again in the next decade.

Despite this rapid growth, women constitute only six percent of VA’s total patient population. VA has also found that women Veterans underutilize VA care, largely due to a lack of knowledge about VA benefits and available services. In response, an outbound Call Center was established in 2010 to contact women Veterans and encourage them to try VA care. It has been expanded, and the Call Center’s telephone agents now receive incoming calls and inquiries about VA care and other services for women.

“All our telephone agents have received general education regarding services that the VA provides women Veterans,” said Stephenson.

They are informed about eligibility, benefits, health care and other services, and can route calls within VA when needed. Agents are also trained to respond to crisis situations such as suicidal behavior, homelessness, sexual trauma, and domestic violence.

1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) provides a single avenue for women Veterans to get the help they need.

They just have the one number to call and our telephone agents will be able to direct them appropriately and to provide them the information that they need,” said Stephenson. “We also have established agreements for warm handoffs to VA programs such as the Veterans Crisis Line and the Caregiver Support Line. We are also working collaboratively with other VA Departments for those Veterans who have questions regarding VA benefits and health eligibility.”

In these cases, Stephenson added, the Call Center follows-up with women Veterans within 30 days to ensure they received the services they needed.

VA aims to meet the unique needs of women Veterans by delivering the highest quality of health care to each woman, while offering privacy, dignity, and sensitivity to gender-specific needs that she deserves. VA covers a full continuum of care, including comprehensive primary care, mental health services, as well as emergency and specialty care. In addition, VA provides gynecology services, maternity care, caregiver support, crisis support and help for homeless Veterans. With one phone call, women Veterans can discover all the VA has to offer.

As telephone agent Tamatha Lee stated, “I think the benefit of having a call center that focuses on women Veterans is that we are letting the women who served our country know we recognize that they are out there, and we are here to serve them now.”

Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
 

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.

US Department of Labor releases fiscal year 2014 budget request

Budget includes support for job training, veterans, safer workplaces

Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today released the U.S. Department of Labor's fiscal year 2014 budget request, which supports President Obama's plan to strengthen the economy and grow the middle class through continued investments in training and resources for job seekers.

"The Department of Labor's fiscal year 2014 budget request is a critical ingredient in the Obama administration's plan to grow the economy from the middle class out, not from the top down. The investments we make at the department will help create good jobs, upgrade workers' skills so that they can succeed in those jobs, and make sure Americans can support their families with a decent wage and secure benefits," said acting Secretary Harris.

The president's budget for the Department of Labor requests $12.1 billion in discretionary funding. It invests in programs that improve services for workers and job seekers by modernizing the federal job training system and creating employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed and low-income adults and youths. The request devotes significant resources to putting our veterans, particularly those with disabilities or other significant barriers to employment, back to work. It provides improved re-employment services that enable individuals newly separated from the military to successfully transition into civilian careers.

As the economy changes, training and employment programs must innovate and adapt to effectively help American workers gain needed skills. The FY 2014 budget proposes a new Universal Displaced Worker program that will reach more than a million workers a year with a set of core services, replacing two more narrowly-targeted programs and ensuring that all dislocated workers receive high-quality job search assistance.

In addition, the budget request provides $150 million for a competitive Workforce Innovation Fund to test new evidence-based workforce development strategies and bold systemic reforms coming from states and localities. Of that amount, $50 million will be used to identify strategies to help veterans, military family members, and members of the National Guard and Reserve, and $10 million will be focused on identifying effective strategies to improve outcomes for disconnected youths. The budget proposes $8 billion for a Community College to Career Fund, to be administered jointly with the U.S. Department of Education, that will invest in partnerships between community colleges and business to train workers for good-paying jobs in high-growth and high-demand industries. It would begin in 2015 as a successor to the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training program.

The department's request is focused on helping the long-term unemployed get back to work. It includes a $4 billion Re-employment NOW program, which incorporates a number of reforms to help Unemployment Insurance claimants and other long-term unemployed individuals get back to work more quickly, and a $12.5 billion Pathways Back to Work Fund to make it easier for workers to remain connected to the workforce and gain new skills for long-term employment. In addition, the budget provides $25 million to encourage innovative states to come forward with new and better strategies to return UI beneficiaries to work. The budget also proposes reforms to put state UI systems on the path to solvency.

Highlights of the FY 2014 budget request include:

• An additional $5.8 million for Mine Safety and Health Administration enforcement programs to pursue strategies that prevent death, disease and injury from mining, and $2.5 million to implement recommendations from the internal review conducted in the wake of the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster.
• An additional $5.9 million to bolster the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's enforcement of the numerous laws that protect workers and others from retaliation for reporting unsafe and unscrupulous practices.

• Nearly $14 million to combat the misclassification of workers as independent contractors, which deprives workers of benefits and protections to which they are legally entitled and puts law-abiding businesses at a disadvantage against employers who violate the law.
• An additional $3.4 million for the Wage and Hour Division to support greater enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• $5 million for the creation of a State Paid Leave Fund to assist workers who need to take time off to care for a child or other family member.
• An initiative to encourage companies to fully fund their pension benefits by authorizing the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. board to adjust premiums and take into account the risks that different retirement plan sponsors pose to their retirees. Under the initiative, the PBGC is estimated to save $25 billion over the next decade.

Finally, the department's FY 2014 budget request continues existing efforts to enhance program effectiveness and improve efficiency. The department will invest in program evaluations to be overseen by the chief evaluation officer and requests increased authority to set aside funds from major program accounts for more evaluations. These investments will provide the department with valuable information about strategies and approaches that work so that resources can be allocated strategically.

For more information on the president's FY 2014 budget request for the Department of Labor, visit http://www.dol.gov/budget/.

Source: DOL

This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter.