The U.S. Department of Labor has introduced an opinion letter program to enhance compliance assistance, providing clarity on federal labor laws for workers, employers, and stakeholders. This initiative spans five enforcement agencies within the department.
The Wage and Hour Division will issue opinion letters, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will provide letters of interpretation. The Employee Benefits Security Administration is set to release advisory opinions and information letters. Additionally, the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service will issue opinion letters, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration will offer compliance assistance resources through its new MSHA Information Hub.
Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling stated, "Opinion letters are an important tool in ensuring workers and businesses alike have access to clear, practical guidance." He emphasized that launching this program is part of a broader effort to empower the public with necessary information for understanding and complying with labor laws.
These opinion letters serve as official written interpretations from the department’s enforcement agencies. They explain how laws apply to specific situations presented by individuals or organizations, promoting clarity, consistency, and transparency in applying federal labor standards.
To facilitate this initiative, a landing page has been launched at dol.gov/opinion-letters. The site allows users to explore past guidance and submit new requests to relevant agencies easily.
For general inquiries about federal labor laws, individuals can visit dol.gov or contact the department's toll-free helpline at 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365).
