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Saturday, April 18, 2026

To kick off Natural Disaster Preparedness Month the US Department of Labor reminds workers of federal labor law protections, employers about responsibilities amidst the peak of storm season - US Department of Labor

Since 2017, over $62 million in wages recovered for more than 45,000 workers

DALLAS – With hazardous weather and storms a feature of the season, the U.S. Department of Labor urges workers and employers who clear debris, repair homes or perform other types of disaster recovery to become familiar with federal laws governing wages, hours of work and pay practices. The failure to pay wages as due harms employees, and violations of federal labor law can be costly for employers.

“The U.S. Department of Labor works tirelessly to ensure that workers who respond in times of crisis, to help communities recover from devastating storms, are paid all of their legally earned wages and benefits,” explained Wage and Hour Regional Administrator Betty Campbell in Dallas. “Additionally, we stand ready to equip employers with the information and guidance they need to prevent violations which are often costly.”

From October 2017 to June 2022, the department’s Wage and Hour Division conducted more than 900 investigations related to recovery from natural disasters. Those cases yielded more than $62 million in wages recovered for more than 45,000 workers. During that same time, the division hosted more than 1,200 outreach events for disaster recovery employers, employees, and stakeholders, including more than 75,000 participants.

Common violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act include non-payment of wages, impermissible deductions leading to minimum wage and overtime violations and the...



Read Full Story: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20220906-0