History & SocietyScience & TechBiographiesAnimals & NatureGeography & TravelArts & CultureGames & QuizzesVideosOn This DayOne Good FactDictionaryCompanionsDemystifiedImage GalleriesInfographicsListsPodcastsSpotlightSummariesThe ForumTop Questions#WTFact100 WomenBritannica KidsSaving EarthSpace Next 50Student Center
Britannica Money
Subscribe Now
Table of Contents
  • External Websites

U.S. Department of Labor

United States government
Also known as: DOL
Written and fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Updated:
Table of Contents
  • External Websites
Date:
1913 - present
Areas Of Involvement:
labour law
labour
Recent News
(AP)Another burst of hiring shows off the resilience of the US job market
(AP)US job openings stay steady at nearly 8.9 million in January, a sign labor market remains strong

U.S. Department of Labor, executive division of the U.S. federal government responsible for enforcing labour statutes and promoting the general welfare of U.S. wage earners. Established in 1913, it controls the Employment Standards Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and numerous other agencies involved in administration of programs concerning employment and training, trade adjustment assistance, unemployment insurance, veterans and senior citizens, and mine safety.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.