Career Advice

Today, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Black Lung Benefits Act Amendment. These changes to the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1969 significantly liberalized the eligibility requirements for the federal Black Lung Program, making it easier for miners with black lung disease and their families to receive benefits. The Black Lung Benefits Act

Child care is an essential need for parents in the workforce: People can’t work if they don’t have the security that their families are being cared for. Due to generations of underinvestment in the care economy, many families faced difficulties accessing and affording child care even prior to the pandemic. Then, the COVID-19 crisis underscored just how threadbare our care

Diego Jimenez worked long hours as a server at La Carreta Mexican Restaurant in Derry, New Hampshire for over four years. Diego regularly worked over 50 hours a week, serving customers and cleaning the restaurant, but the only compensation he received for his hard work were the tips paid by restaurant patrons. “I took pride in the level of service

My father has lived in the United States for 40 years. He came here on the heels of the Vietnam War as a refugee. He rarely shares details about his experience during the war in South Vietnam, where he and his four older siblings were born and spent the first decades of their lives. What he has told me is

[embedded content] Are you looking for a mission-driven career? We’re hiring! Join us for our virtual career fair onFriday, June 24, 2022, to learn more about positions at all levels open across the country. Staff will be on hand to talk about their agencies, current openings and how the department supports America’s workers, job seekers and retirees. You’ll have a

I proudly served my country faithfully in the U.S. Army for more than 31 years, and I knew the decision to retire was going to be life-changing process. So before making that decision, I started having conversations with my mentors to ensure I was taking the appropriate steps and making the right decisions for me and my family. For example,

Every day, OSHA inspectors across the nation enforce the laws that protect America’s workers. However, they can’t be everywhere, and inevitably unscrupulous employers will cut corners, leading to preventable worker injuries and deaths. A disproportionate number of these injuries and deaths occur in the construction industry. Last month, we observed Workers Memorial Day, a day when we remember and honor

Since the first 911 call was placed in 1968, the number has become synonymous with help in times of emergencies. The vast majority of Americans are covered by 911 services, with about 240 million 911 calls made in the U.S. every year. The public safety telecommunicators, or 911 operators, who answer these calls may assist callers by providing first aid

At the U.S. Department of Labor, we’re committed to helping America’s employees and employers work together to promote workplace well-being — especially considering the challenges of the past two years. Fostering supportive, mental-health-friendly workplaces is always a priority for us, but we’re paying special attention to these issues throughout May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. For workers with mental

[embedded content] Every year in America, 1 in 5 adults experiences some form of mental illness, 1 in 20 experiences a serious mental illness and 17 million experience a substance use disorder and mental illness. Despite the prevalence of mental health conditions, there’s still a stigma around discussing mental health and its treatment, especially at work – but there shouldn’t