The United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently announced the launch of a far-reaching public awareness campaign to remind workers that the agency is committed to ensuring their workplace rights during the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure that employers know their responsibilities. These new announcements are WHD’s latest efforts to educate American workers and help employers provide the benefits and protections required by law as the coronavirus pandemic evolves. WHD has published extensive guidance for workers during this crisis, such as online videos, digital compliance assistance toolkits, and an ongoing invitation to make confidential calls to speak directly with trained professionals in local WHD offices. AGC continues efforts to educate Congress on the multitude of issues contractors face when navigating these new mandates.
WHD is using public service announcements in English and Spanish, on radio and television, to provide the workforce information about the new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave benefits available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and workplace rights in agriculture. The campaign will also feature short, plain-language educational videos, digital guides, stakeholder outreach, and social media messages not only to inform workers of their rights, but also to encourage them to reach out to WHD with their workplace concerns. The announcements will appear on the local radio and television stations that workers rely upon for information, and on popular social media platforms.
For more information about the FFCRA or other laws enforced by WHD, visit www.dol.gov/agencies/whd.
For more information, contact Claiborne Guy at claiborne.guy@agc.org or 703-837-5382.