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.