How the Department of Labor Affects the US Economy

Department of Labor and the US Economy

Overview

The human resource of a country is perhaps the most important resource that a country can have. A country can have other resources, natural resources, but it is the strength of the human resource that determines the ability of a country to manage other types of resources. If a country fails in this, then, it cannot attain social, political, and economic advancement.

Countries which are categorized as advanced are countries which have been able to protect their workforce. For example, such countries are able to establish and enforce a minimum wage. In addition to that, employees in countries work in acceptable labor conditions, and are able to gain the fruits of their labor.

The International Labor Organization defines the total labor force as the active population which meets the criteria for employment. It includes the persons who are working, and the persons who are eligible for work. It may also include older people as far as they have the ability to meet expectations at the place of work.

In the US, labor is governed by the Department of Labor. Its headquarters is in Frances Perkins Building, Washington DC. The organization boasts of at least 17, 000 employees. This article will guide you on how the Department of Labor affects the US economy.

Workers Conditions

Some employees are fair, they give the right compensation, and they ensure that workers are working in healthy conditions. Unfortunately, some employees are not very fair, and the Department of Labor understands this as much. For example, the following companies are known to have a low employee satisfaction rate as reviewed by Glassdoor:

Belk

CDK Global

RGIS

Hertz

A country is not going to have a good name if the employees are working in poor working conditions. Moreover, such employees are going to feel disillusioned in their day to day work. Consequently, productivity is going to be affected and the health of the business suffers at a great length. When a company has a bad name in treating its employees, it is not able to attract a talented pool of job applicants. In turn, this affects the performance of the business in the long run.

The main mission of the Department of Labor is to promote the welfare of the employees by ensuring that they receive the right treatment in exchange for their labor. The department holds that employees have some benefits and rights, which must, at the minimum, be availed to the employees. The workplace conditions that the Department of Labor has in mind include the right wage, hourly obligations, and unemployment insurance benefits.

If the employer does not implement the recommendations by the Department of Labor, he could face a number of consequences. For example, the New York Department of Labor releases sanctions to employers who are not compliant to the labor laws. It states that violation could lead to an imprisonment, or fine, or both. Employees should note that they cannot be discharged or penalized just because they have complained to the Department of Labor.

When the workers are empowered, they are going to earn more, and consequently, spend more on the economy. In other words, empowered employees have a high purchasing power. As a result, the US businesses are able to find a ready market for their goods and services. This ensures that the local economy is strong and the American people are supporting the US economy without much reliance on other countries. The financial crises that have faced the US are a testimony on the need to empower the local people.

It is far much better when the employees work in the right conditions. Whereas employers may feel that this comes at a cost, they are going to benefit from that. It should be noted that when the employees are given the right working conditions, they are able to concentrate on their jobs, and they do not see the need of contacting DOL or other authorities about certain challenges at the workplace or certification OSHA. Moreover, the employers are going to have a good name when they are interacting with the government authorities.

Dispute Resolution

The US Department of labor is actively involved in labor disputes with the goal of offering viable solutions which are going to be enforced. Because it is difficult to please all parties, dispute resolution becomes a matter of law. The department has received a significant number of cases, and has made a deliberate effort to reach an amicable solution.

Because the department operates at the federal level, it is expected that the disputes are not minor, but rather, matters of major industrial action. In the history of the US, the times of war have seen DOL receive major industrial disputes. This is because war can suppress the local economy as income from taxes is directed towards funding a war, and not boosting the local economy.

The government has intervened in order to prevent strikes which would, otherwise, lead to a disruption of the economy. The office of the President, through the personal effort of the president, has contacted state actors in order to solve labor disputes. Because of the authority and the networks that the president has, his office is critical in the solving of high profile disputes. This is more so if the disputes involve a large number of people or a large geographical.

For instance, Theodore Roosevelt was known to support the employees and the labor unions thereof. It has been agreed that Roosevelt was genuine in supporting the improvement of the social as well as the industrial conditions of the American workforce. Local leaders have sought the intervention of the Department of Labor in order to solve pertinent problems facing the local communities as far as labor is concerned.

Barrack Obama had some values which affected the running of the Department of Labor and he was viewed as a leader who is sensitive to the needs of the workers. Obama invoked the Fair Labor Standards Act, and argued that most workers were supposed to be considered as employees. This was an argument that was very popular among the employees because it meant that employees would get more rights than independent contractors would get for the same type of work.

Affirmative Action

DOL has made a deliberate effort to ensure that there is affirmative action when it comes to the labor force and the American economy. The department has acknowledged that some Americans have a difficulty getting employment, and when they get employment, they earn lower wages. These cultural groups include Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives, and the Native Americans. This has not been observed in recent years only, but rather, it has been a matter of historical injustices where some American communities have been pushed to the periphery of the economy.

The American government notes with concern that the Alaskan Natives and American Indians have a higher rate of unemployment than other groups of people. In addition to that, they have a lower participation rate when compared to the general US population.

In connection to this, DOL has a unit known as Employment and Training Administration which has played a critical role in affirmative action to the affected cultural groups. This is done in order to impart academic and literacy skills. Such efforts are made in order to meet the regulatory expectations but also be in tandem with the traditional and cultural values of the natives.

DOL requires American workplaces to appreciate the cultures and experiences of others, and support them if need be. These efforts should include giving a voice to the marginalized groups of people. In such a case, then, DOL views that culture is supposed to be celebrated, and should not be a basis of discrimination. There has to be a culture of respecting other people’s cultures and what they stand for.

Going Global

With the current wave of globalization, it could be said that it is impossible that a country can operate in isolation. The economics of a country, including the labor dynamics, are becoming global. The US Depart of Labor has accepted that the US must accept that globalization is here to stay.

In the US, the Department of Labor has worked in other American government departments in order to attract skilled labor. Many people in the world would like to stay in the US. What the Department of Labor is concerned is that immigrants are willing to contribute to the economy of the country. The Silicon Valley, California, is a perfect example par excellence of the benefits of hiring talent from all over the world.

The US has presented itself as an esteemed destination of higher learning. Thus, it is able to attract students from all over the world. When such students come to the US to study, some can remain after graduation, and provide highly skilled labor and help in boosting the economy.

The US Department of Labor supports research through its Division of Research & Evaluation. The department understands too well that research and development plays a critical role in informing policy as well as practice. Empirical arguments are made, and evidence is presented. The outcome is that decisions are made after a careful deliberation.

DOL regularly carries out inspection in order to ensure that American businesses are in compliance to their regulations. It is not uncommon to find that the department is interviewing the employees as part and parcel of making an audit of the health of the workplace and to see if the workplace is conducive for the employees. The audit can be spontaneous, or planned, or it can be as a result of a complain. It is the responsibility of the businesses to be prepared for the coming of the DOL, for the department can come as a thief.

Rather than waiting for DOL to come, employers can make a thorough assessment and a self-audit. This can be used to show the gap as pertains to workplace conditions. Consequently, action can be taken, and the conditions can be modified. This should be done as a matter of routine.

The Need for Legal Advice

As you may have observed, the US Department of Labor is a complex organizations with many labor laws. Simply put, you may not understand such laws, and you may not understand their implications. It takes a lot of time to understand basic legal terminology, and you may think that you understand them, and you may not be knowing them. Again, ignorance is no defense, and you need to make a deliberate effort to understand the department.

If you are an employer, seek legal services about the laws and implications emanating from the US Department of Labor. This is because failure to do so could turn out very expensive on your business. In addition to that, you could spend a lot of time defending yourself from lawsuits which are not going to end soon. Such lawsuits could drain you in terms of time, energy, and resources.

If you are an employee, you need to understand that American law has already protected you at the workplace. There are provisions in place which will mean that should you have a problem at the workplace, then you can seek legal redress. You just need to document such evidence, at least, as far as possible.

However, as an employee, do not abuse the opportunity that you are already protected by the US Department of Labor. If you accuse your employer of something wrong, then be sure to show evidence, and the justification thereof. Making unfounded accusations will only compromise your relationship with your employer.

Conclusion

The US Department of Labor is indispensable in the running of the country and is an important asset for all Americans residents. Indeed, the success of the success of the US Department of Labor is good as it will set an example for other countries in the world. Overall, the Department of Labor has done a good work in promoting the workplace environment.

How Do I Get Certified with OSHA?

occupational safety and health administration

The occupational safety and health administration sets work safety rules for every employer to follow. It is done to certify that the employees are in line with the OSHA regulations. Provided that the rules are followed, a certificate will be issued by a training firm as proof.

When job hunting, you are likely to come around the description that demands OSHA certification. More specifically, the job may specify the certification into OSHA 10 or 30. However, it is a surprise that occupational safety and health administration does not give certification for both OSHA 10 and 30. So to speak, when you see the term OSHA certification, it probably demands that you have up-to-date training as required by OSHA.

Even though it’s wrong to say that one is certified by OSHA, you have to go through the outreach courses for you to be certified. Certification may also be outdated depending on your employer or the state laws. To renew it, you will have to go back to outreach classes and get them updated.

· Understanding OSHA certifications

Provided that a job demands either OSHA10 or OSHA30 certification, you must prove that you completed the outreach training program. Graduates from these programs are given cards depending on duration. Should it be a 10-hour program, you will get the OSHA 10 completion card. The same applies to the 30-hour duration.

Despite all these, OSHA does not approve workers who have gone through 10- or 30-Hour OSHA Outreach training for certification. It claims it to be a voluntary endeavor that does not meet the standard requirements. The standards are the set rules that are put in place for employees. Though there are states that may require one to have the outreach training for employment, it’s sufficed to say that OSHA does not need it. Therefore there is no course in the outreach program that is considered by OSHA as certification.

Review of OSHA

How can I be certified by OSHA?

Even though OSHA does not give certification to workers, it allows for training. It authorizes trainers and courses in various occupational fields. With that said, the closest thing to certification that you can get is the OSHA Outreach training. Upon its completion, you are a given a card. The card is typically generated from the Department of Labor OSHA, and it’s categorized into 10-Hour or 30-Hour card. So as a worker, you don’t even need the DOL card. To be compliant, you should only have the relevant training to stay safe on the worksites.

· Where can I get certification for OSHA?

With all things considered, certification for OSHA is typically indirect. OSHA outreach training programs impart trainers with work safety knowledge and allow private institutions to provide the courses. The criterion also provides a list of trainers on their website, and it can account for online and face to face training. To be OSHA certified, you have to ensure that your course provider is legitimate and has up-to-date authorization.

You must be aware that there are fraudulent parties with the notion to con you. They may either be suspended or revoked by OSHA or even non-authorized. Therefore, You must see it through that you get a trustworthy trainer. Thereon you can choose the training depending on your job certifications’ demand.

· What are the requirements for OSHA certification?

OSHA does not give specifications that address training or certifications for workers. They are not aware of applicable standards in employees’ workplace. Their standards call for employers to train their workers in ways pertinent to their spheres of work. The only needed certification requirement is that; you have your employees trained on how to be safe on worksites in the long run. The training is, however, voluntary and OSHA has specific guidelines for it that should be followed.

· Who are the OSHA outreach courses suitable for?

The outreach courses are classified into different industrial fields. It’s done that way to ensure that you remain relevant to the topics from your worksite. In terms of worth, outreach courses are suitable for building contractors and renovation contractors. To some extent, it is also best for the construction workers.

Getting certified for construction with OSHA is easy. The course is even presented in multiple languages. Additionally, maritime OSHA certification is also available. It’s ideal for those that work in shipyards, ferry terminals, and longshoring departments.

OSHA outreach courses are also ideal for the general industry. They cover vast fields ranging from manufacturing, healthcare, and warehousing. To be certified in these fields, you should pay attention to the relevant courses at hand. Despite all these, some low-risk industries are not strict on the OSHA outreach courses.

It is, therefore, an optional, or rather say a voluntary approach. You should check with your employer and see their requirements. If it is needed, you can commence the learning process. Nonetheless, having OSHA certification can ultimately color your resume. It will give you higher chances of securing job shots. As per my opinion going for the outreach, the course is a wise move and decision.

OSHA 30

What’s OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, and what’s best?

Despite where your worksite falls, there is a pending choice on the outreach course. That is either the 10 hour or 30 hour OSHA course. The DOL card issued for OSHA 10 can suffice if you are not supervising other employees. Thence it’s limited to functionality.

The course is usually 10 hours, but breaks are a mandate. Since there are breaks, the course can take up to 2 days. The DOL for OSHA30, on the other hand, is vital if you have supervisory tasks. It’s best for project administrators, engineers, safety specialists, and site leaders. Longer durations are due to the need for supervisors to comprehend the safety regulations. The course can last for four or even more days.

What does OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certification cover for?

You will not encounter the specifications for OSHA certification, but it’s wise for you to know what they entail. The programs elucidate the workers’ rights and the employer’s responsibility under OSHA. It further explains how to file a complaint.

To be precise, as aforementioned, the OSHA 10 program is a program designed for workers, and it covers the safety concerns among regular workers. On the other hand, OSHA 30 is meant for supervisors and instructors. However, there may be variations depending on the general industry. In those cases, you can get both of the courses tailored to everyone.

Department of Labor Card

Do I Need A Department of Labor OSHA Card?

The DOL card is always issued to individuals after completion of the outreach certification course. It’s sufficed to be portrayed as a certificate. The card is official, and it’s vital in adding value to your resume. To date, it’s prominently growing as a primary job requirement. To get a job at an oil rig and government worksites, it’s a must that you have the card. The trend also applies to New York.

An authorized outreach course only is the only way for one to get the card, and so to speak, there are a few providers. Therefore, it will help if you register with a faculty approved by the labor department when enrolling for the outreach course. If in doubt, you should consult directly with your employers. You may also do research concerning state laws on OSHA training and labor cards.

Understanding OSHA Certification and Certificates

Despite the similar-sounding of the words certification and certificates, OSHA sees them differently. The certificates are issued the moment that you are done with the outreach course. However, they are temporary since they are just placeholders for the DOL card.

Having an OSHA certificate or DOL card does not mean you are certified. Certification is verified from the students’ mastery of the latest outreach course. The courses are meant to train students on new changes and evaluate their skills and knowledge.

How frequent and when do I have to get OSHA certified.

The OSHA training mandate has frequencies attached to every topic. Despite that, the DOL CARD that you get from the outreach training has no federal expiration. It’s therefore justified to say that your certification is up to the law. When the state or law demands the DOL, its jurisdictions will elucidate how recent it should be.

You may also go for new certification if your employer requires it. The desired outcome is usually to refresh new employees and add some new knowledge to their repertoire. With all things considered, it’s an industrial call for you to go for certification, and it’s usually after every two years from the last outreach.

training for OSHA

Can You Add The OSHA Certification To Your CV?

OSHA disregards the outreach courses as certifications. However, employers always search for the outreach courses in your resume. When writing a resume, it would help if you include the outreach courses in the certifications zone. However, you have to fill them in as course titles. You can also include the DOL card if you have completed the outreach course.

· Ways in which your faculty can be certified by OSHA

1. Schedule inspections with OSHA consultants

For faculty certification, you have to Contact the OSHA department in your location. Thereon you can schedule an inspection meeting with the consultant. The consultant will accompany you to the workplace and evaluate both environmental and also mechanical hazards. Through inspection, anything that violates OSHA rules can be well outlined. Furthermore, the consultant will review your workplace safety program then talk to the employee on the most observable hazards.

2. Rectify the problems outlined by the inspector

Since everything that is outlined violates the OSHA regulations, it will be wise if rectifications are done. OSHA will establish guidelines for employees’ safety and protection in their workplace. Further rectifications can also be done through writing safety rules and talking the implemented safety policies to employees. To some extent, OSHA outreach training can also be conducted for employees.

3. Abate the company injuries

Lowering injuries in the workplace below the national average value is vital to get certified. OSHA has double stands for evaluating this. The first one usually involves calculating the number of days workers are on restricted duty due to the effects related to the injuries. The other one is the recorded number of injuries within your company.

After you have followed all the safety regulations and minimized injuries, you can contact an OSHA consultant for re-evaluation. If everything is in line, the consultant will recommend you to OSHA managers and the state government for a SHARP certificate.

The benefits of being certified by OSHA

· It Improves Your Resume

After you have completed the training, you can update your resume and add your newly acquired skills. It’s ideal for most job seekers since it’s a quick way of telling your employers about the benefits and differences you will make. To some extent, it may help employees boost the company’s reputation.

· It’s a guarantee for a Safe Work Environment.

Completing the OSHA outreach training is key to building safe surroundings for other employees and improving their general and physical health. In short, this training is all about boosting workers’ morale in the long run and also motivates them to be much more productive. It also intends to promote consistency in work attendance since safe health is covered for. In fact company’s that are compliant with OSHA have little to none work-related injuries or even ailments.

· Increased Work Opportunities

Being OSHA certified opens more doors for work opportunities and even takes its reputation to the next level. You can be a valuable asset in the safety group committee that educates other staff on the safety practices. Moreover, being certified can make a positive difference in your career by providing new jobs or even grant you promotions to the next rank that you desired.

In retrospect, being certified by OSHA comes indirectly. It’s presented in OSHA outreach courses, which can be done either online or even face to face. However, the four days that the course may take are worth positively changing your entire career. So if you come across the term OSHA certification, you should not be alarmed at all. It is all about having the latest OSHA outreach education.