Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Last week, the FTC ruled to ban noncompete agreements nationwide, affecting about 30 million American workers.   The ban will give Pennsylvania workers the opportunity to earn higher wages or pursue a new job, and is a big win for our economy.   Read more about the non-compete ban here: https://lnkd.in/g-C3FUs5

PA employers: Tomorrow is the last day to submit 2024 Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence (GASE) nominations. Employer who earn GASE awards help ensure their employees feel protected and valued, and shape a workforce that prioritizes workplace safety. Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. For more information about how to nominate an employer: https://shorturl.at/gBXZ2.

On this Workers Memorial Day, we recognize the labor movement’s decades-long fight for safer workplaces and advocate for policies that protect Pennsylvania workers from being injured on the job.    L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker, Deputy Secretary Gerald Mullery, and Harrisburg labor leaders gathered at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg this morning to honor lives lost and renew the call to strengthen worker protections in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania employers: There’s less than one week to submit your nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence (GASE). This award recognize employers who implement exceptional safety strategies, injury-prevention programs, and best practices that protect our workers. The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, May 1. Any questions can be sent to the GASE program coordinator at RA-LIBWC-GASE@pa.gov.

On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission ruled to ban noncompete agreements in the U.S.   The FTC estimates this ruling will lead to more than 8,500 new businesses nationally and allows typical workers to earn $524 more per year.   This ban not only protects Pennsylvania workers but helps ensure employers are held accountable.   For more information about the FTC ruling: https://lnkd.in/egVcR8Q5

Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget invests an additional $787,000 in vocational rehabilitation. That funding supports programs like the ones provided at the Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center in Johnstown, PA. Their work not only helps individuals unlock the potential that’s already there, but ensures all Pennsylvanians can be independent and thrive in a career of their choosing. Schedule a tour or inquire about applying for admission by calling 1-800-762-4211 or 814-255-8200. 

Earlier this week, Secretary Nancy A. Walker joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers and Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s effort to protect Pennsylvania workers against wage theft and tax fraud and hold employers accountable against worker misclassification. Governor Shapiro is calling for a $1.2 million investment in L&I’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance to hire 12 new labor law compliance investigators. L&I encourages anyone who suspects violations of the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act or other PA labor laws to submit a complaint here: https://lnkd.in/eVC4ayiN

Earlier this week, L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker joined more than 400 students and educators to celebrate Pennsylvania students with autism at the Hiram G. Andrews Center’s annual Autism Awareness & Acceptance Walk and Resource Fair. HGAC provides barrier-free education and job-readiness programs for young Pennsylvanians with disabilities, and served more than 1,200 individuals in 2023.

Registration is OPEN for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s and Temple University Institute on Disabilities’ training series on hiring individuals with disabilities. This three-part series highlights the importance of fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the workplace, and removing barriers to competitive, integrated employment in Pennsylvania.   This third training session explores strategies to removing barriers and cultivating a culture of belonging that embraces individuals with disabilities in the workplace.   The Shapiro Administration continues to invest in opportunities that support a stronger, more inclusive workforce, and help ensure Pennsylvanians with disabilities have the freedom to chart their own course. Registration for May 8 (9-10:30 a.m.) and 9 (2-3:30 p.m.) can be found on L&I's Workforce Development page: https://lnkd.in/eWh_wSQy

On Monday, L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker joined a bipartisan group of PA lawmakers and the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters to highlight the Shapiro Administration’s continued commitment to tackle worker misclassification, and protect our workers by supporting fair, safe workplaces in Pennsylvania. L&I encourages anyone who suspects violations of the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act or other PA labor laws to submit a complaint here: https://lnkd.in/eRBnD4m5