WASHINGTON, DC – As retailers and other businesses temporarily increase staffing levels to accommodate heightened seasonal consumer demand, the U.S. Department of Labor reminds employers of the necessity of complying with federal labor laws related to safety, pay, and benefits.

• To report emergencies, unsafe working conditions, safety and health violations, to file a complaint, or to ask safety and health questions, call the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration at 800-321-6742 (OSHA) or visithttp://www.osha.gov.
• To report potential violations of federal wage laws administered by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division, call the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) or visit http://www.dol.gov/whd/.

“The busy holiday shopping season places heavy demands on employers and employees, particularly in the retail, warehouse, and delivery sectors. It is critical for employers to understand the rules of the road when it comes to ensuring safe and healthy working conditions, as well as complying with pay and benefits laws,” said Nicholas C. Geale, Acting Solicitor of the Department of Labor. “Compliance with federal labor laws is a necessity. The Department of Labor is a resource for helping employees understand their rights under the law and for helping employers understand their obligations.”

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. The Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes safety standards and provides training, education, and assistance. The Department encourages businesses to adopt effective safety and health programs to identify and eliminate potential hazards. Employers need to ensure employees are trained for emergencies, knowing in advance who to call for medical response, keeping first-aid kits on hand, and watching exits to keep them open, particularly in back offices where stacked boxes can block egress.

The Department’s Wage and Hour Division’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. WHD enforces Federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).