Compliance Stuff

  At a Glance The Policy Week in Review, prepared by Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), sets forth WPI’s updates on federal, state, and local matters. Senate Advances DOL and EEOC Nominees Earlier today, the Senate voted 51-46 on a procedural motion to advance the nominations of individuals to serve in key positions at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), including: Andrew Rogers to serve as the DOL Wage and Hour Division administrator; Jonathan Berry as the solicitor of Labor; David Keeling as head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); Wayne Palmer as the head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration; Julie Hocker to head the Office of Disability Employment Policy; David Brian Castillo to serve as DOL’s chief financial officer; and Brittany Panuccio to be a member of the EEOC. Federal Government Shuts Down After Congress Fails to Reach Funding Deal On Tuesday, the Senate failed to pass the Ho...

The Trump administration plans to completely eliminate the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and transfer the agency’s remaining authority to enforce protections in federal contractors for veterans and workers with disabilities to other agencies, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) recent budget document. Meanwhile, the DOL has  announced  the launch of its “opinion letter program” that could provide employers with additional guidance on the administration’s revamp of the department and new enforcement priorities. Quick Hits The Trump administration’s budget proposal seeks to eliminate the OFCCP and transfer enforcement responsibilities for veterans and disability protections to other agencies . Amid the administration’s new labor policies, t he DOL has launched an opinion letter program to provide clear guidance on federal labor laws to employers and workers . On May 30, 2025, the DOL released its  budget justification  for the fi...

On June 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expanded its opinion letter program, which should provide guidance on areas handled by multiple enforcement agencies within the DOL . Publication of opinion letters is a priority for the Trump administration and this program is evidence of the federal government’s intention to issue more guidance to the public. Opinion Letter Process Opinion letters issued by the DOL are official publications that explain how the DOL enforces various laws and regulations under specific scenarios submitted by a requesting party. Opinion letters offer timely guidance to both employers and individuals, while also providing insight into the agency’s likely positions in future rulemaking or litigation. While they do not override existing statutes or regulations, they provide authoritative guidance that can help employers and individuals navigate compliance with greater confidence . Employers that rely on an opinion letter in good faith may use that relianc...