One Vision...One
Team
U.S. Department of Labor One
Vision...One Team
With a unique vision of service to
the nation, and with a host of diverse and talented employees, the
Department of Labor makes an impact on the quality of work life for
every American worker. We are working together so that all Americans are
prepared for the 21st century, with the opportunity to build an even better
life for their families. In the constantly changing work place, we are making
sure that every American has the rights and respect, the safety, security, and
benefits that they deserve. This shared vision of service is reflected through
the different missions of our agencies and bureaus.
Bureau of Labor
Statistics
As the Department's oldest agency, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the
broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent
national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and
disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, Congress, other
Federal agencies, State and local governments, business, and labor. The BLS
also serves as a statistical resource to the Department of Labor.
Employee Benefits
Security Administration
In 1974, the creation of the Pension and Welfare Benefits
Administration (PWBA) gave American workers an important ally in the struggle
to make ends meet. In 2003, PWBA was renamed Employee Benefits Security
Administration (EBSA). EBSA protects the integrity of pensions, health plans,
and other employee benefits for more than 200 million people. This mission is
accomplished by assisting workers in getting the information they need to
protect their benefits rights; assisting plan officials to understand the
requirements of the relevant statutes in order to meet their legal
responsibilities; developing policies and laws that encourage the growth of
employment-based benefits; and deterring and correcting violations of the
relevant statutes through our enforcement program.
Employment Standards
Administration
The Employment Standards Administration (ESA) administers and
enforces numerous labor laws and mandates protecting the rights and ensuring
the working conditions of America's workers. ESA accomplishes this by
safeguarding workplace standards pertaining to minimum wage and overtime and
child labor conditions; by ensuring equal employment opportunity for
minorities, women, the disabled and veterans; by providing wage loss
compensation and medical benefits to certain workers injured on the job or
income security for their survivors; and, by enforcing laws which seek to
promote and protect internal union democracy, the financial integrity of labor
unions and the rights of union members.
Employment and Training
Administration
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) ensures that
American workers get the employment and training services they need by
providing grants to states for training programs, unemployment services, and
services for laid-off workers. ETA provides information and services to help
workers manage their careers and employers to find skilled workers. These
services include a toll-free telephone help line and the online America's
Career Kit, which includes America' s Job Bank, America's Talent Bank,
America's Career InfoNet, and America's Learning Exchange.
Mine Safety and Health
Administration
Healthy miners and safe mines remain the driving forces behind the
Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) dedication to one of the nation'
s most viable and traditional industries. MSHA administers the provisions of
the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) and enforces
compliance with mandatory safety and health standards as a means to eliminate
fatal accidents, to reduce the frequency and severity of nonfatal accidents, to
minimize health hazards, and to promote improved safety and health conditions
in the nation's mines.
Office of Disability
Employment Policy
The mission of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP),
under the leadership of an Assistant Secretary, will be to bring a heightened
and permanent long-term focus to the goal of increasing employment of persons
with disabilities. This will be achieved through policy analysis, technical
assistance, and development of best practices, as well as outreach, education,
constituent services, and promoting ODEP's mission among employees.
Office of Inspector
General
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) serves the American worker
and taxpayer by conducting audits, investigations, and evaluations that result
in improvements in the effectiveness, efficiency, and economy of Departmental
programs and operations. OIG detects and prevents fraud and abuse in the
Department of Labor programs and labor racketeering in the American work place.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) mission
is to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect the health of America's
workers. To accomplish this, Federal and State governments must work in
partnership with more than 100 million working men and women and their six and
a half million employers who are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970. OSHA' s staff establishes protective standards, enforces those
standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical
assistance and consultation programs.
Veterans' Employment
and Training Service
Providing training opportunities and job search and placement
assistance to America's veterans is the mission of the Veterans' Employment and
Training Service (VETS). In partnership with other federal agencies, state and
local governments, veterans service organizations, and business and community
groups, VETS helps veterans make the transition from military to civilian life,
train for and find good jobs, and protects the employment and reemployment
rights of veterans, reservists, and National Guard members. |