The Department of Labor (DOL) is a federal agency that manages labor rates and working conditions in the United States. The DOL’s mission is to promote the welfare of the nation’s workers, retirees, and job seekers. The DOL does this by:
Enforcing labor laws
The DOL enforces federal labor laws that protect workers’ rights to safe and healthy working conditions, minimum wage, overtime pay, and unemployment insurance.
Improving working conditions
The DOL works to improve working conditions and opportunities for employment.
Protecting benefits
The DOL protects the retirement and health care benefits of workers.
Tracking economic data
The DOL tracks changes in employment, prices, and other economic measurements. The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) enforces many of the nation’s federal labor laws, including those related to child labor, recordkeeping, and family and medical leave. The DOL also investigates employers to ensure compliance with labor laws. The DOL was originally established in 1913 as an immigration agency, but has since evolved into a major federal agency that regulates and develops human resources.
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